A Fan's View: Albion 1 Newcastle 1

Last updated : 09 August 2009 By Wba-mad Editor

An emotional day at The Hawthorns with both sets of supporters having fond memories of a very special footballer, manager, but most of all, a real gentleman.  R.I.P Sir Bobby Robson.

Two teams who were plying their trade in the Premier league last season are now playing for the right to do so again next campaign.

The close season has been a mixed bag for both clubs, with Tony Mowbray walking out on the Albion - after preaching about loyalty - then being replaced by Roberto Di Matteo.  On the playing side, some of the fringe players have moved on being replaced by young exciting prospects.

Further north the Geordies are a club in turmoil.

They’ve got a chairman who wants to sell the club, no recognised manager after keeping Alan Shearer in the dark, some of the more senior players being transferred with no-one coming the other way and a diabolical away kit.  But on the positive side, what incredible support!!!!

Saying that, both sides fielded strong line-ups with internationals a plenty. 

Bright Albion start

Albion started brightly and played some neat football with Wood and Moore showing some nice exchanges - the latter causing Coloccini problems latching onto the ball over the top.

At the other end Gutierrez was running Zuiverloon ragged with his interplay and pace and Ameobi pushing, pulling and ram-raiding our defence.

The midfield was a battle with Nolan and Smith putting themselves about and getting stuck in; but we had our own warhorse in the shape of Mulumbu, who covered every blade of grass.

Greening was his usual calm self but wasn’t really stamping his authority on the game.

Our wide players, Brunt and Koren, were spreading the play and showed some nice touches whereas Duff and Gutierrez were going past players and getting to the byline.

A Taylor free-kick from just outside the box whistled over Carson’s right hand upright.

As the game gained momentum, so did the tackling with Coloccini and Taylor lucky to escape certain bookings!  One of the resulting free-kicks saw Martis ghost in at the back post only to miss-queue his volley. 

The same player made amends just before the break. The ball was swung into the near post, Harper was under pressure from Olsson and couldn’t get a good contact on the punch.

The ball bounced in the six yard box until Martis poked a foot out and the ball rolled in the net.  Unfortunately Harper took one to the face from his own defender which required treatment.  The game carried on in the same vein until one of the Premierships finest (????) blew the half time whistle.

After the break

The second-half started with Newcastle having to replace Harper in goal.  They raised the tempo and the defence held a higher line which meant there was less room to play in the middle of the park.  Carson wasn’t really tested but the back four certainly knew they were in a game trying to control Carroll and Ameobi.  Smith was tackling anything that moved and Gutierrez was always an outlet.  Zuiverloon had obviously been given orders to close the winger down quicker and not give him chance to run down the line.

Ten minutes in and another raid down their left, the ball was swung to the far post where Duff raced in to place a low shot past Carson.  Newcastle had the bit between their teeth now and were pressing forward.  Mulumbu was still full of energy, going forward when we had the ball but chasing back to regain possession. Greening was getting less and less involved, being over run by Smith.

After a neat exchange between Moore and Wood, the ball was fed to Koren on the edge of the box who unleashed a fierce shot only to see Krul dive superbly to his left and divert the ball round his post.

The game was flowing from end-to-end with both teams searching for the winner.  Albion had three more gilt-edge chances but Newcastle’s substitute keeper brilliantly thwarted Moore, Koren and Dorrans’.

Carson was called into action with a few minutes remaining, clutching a low drive down to his left.  In injury-time the crowd erupted when Olsson headed the ball passed Krul and into the net but the referee then blew-up for what we think was offside!!!

On reflection

Not a bad way to start off RDM’s reign, some positive points, some good performances and on another day we could have had a few more goals.  We’re not going to come up against the quality of Newcastle every week, or the power of Ameobi or the brilliance of Krul.

Hopefully we don’t have to encounter Mr Dean too often either, a dreadful performance and I was led to believe a goalkeeper could not wear the same colour as referee’s and vice versa???

Here’s to a very exciting season

Boing Boing

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