Coverage for the week of the 20th - 26th February 2006

Another quiet week.  Three games, a load of waffle, mostly from the usual suspects, and a reminder of why Nobby Solano is the best thing to come out of Peru since Paddington Bear and the wonderfully named Lake Titicaca (heh “titi”, “caca”, heh etc.).  It’s enough to make you go out and buy one of them “Greatest Hits of ABBA played on the Pan Pipes” CDs that you see in the basket in Morrison’s.  Aaah the haunting music of the Andes.  But I digress, to the papers then.
 

The week’s reportage started with the post match debate after our FA Cup win over Southampton.  As ever the match reports are pretty much the same. (Article) (Article) (Article)  We were definitely “missing a cutting edge” (Article) as we saw the south coast side off comfortably without ever threatening to rack up a cricket score.  Singled out for praise by both Shay Given (Article) and Shola Ameobi (Article) was the 18 year old Southampton keeper who put up a brave display until he was taken off injured.  Fair play and good luck to the lad who certainly didn’t look out of his depth.  Another teenager who has repeatedly caught the eye this season has been the Zog on the Tyne.  Put under the spotlight by John Gibson after yet another all action display against Southampton.  (Article)  In a season of few highlights he has been a breath of fresh air and we can only hope that whoever takes over his development can keep him going in the right direction rather than become yet another young player at NUFC who we only ever hear about his “potential” without ever really delivering.

Speaking of which Kieron Dyer, whose goal put us through to the next round of the cup had his arse kissed aplenty on his return from injury.  (Article)  I know the lad’s been out a while and all that but hey it was a goal against a Championship side to take us through to the 6th round of the cup.  It’s not like he won us the bloody thing is it?  He owes us a hell of a lot more than that.  Understandable that he should get the backing of his team mates, notably Peter Ramage (Article), who has had a lot of positive things to say about the King of Bling of late if truth be told, and his big mate Titus Bramble (Article).  The Evening Chronicle then went on to run a 2 part, heart to heart about Kieron’s struggle and “the comeback trail” ©.  Hell and back  (Article) and the mother of all nightmares (Article).  Bless.  To be fair, probably more fair than some would be I know, he does come over as someone who has learned a very hard lesson the hard way.  But were any of us surprised when it was back to square one again when it was announced he was a doubt for the midweek Charlton game?  (Article)  Out for 3 weeks, which may mean 8 where this lad is concerned, sees his “world falling apart” (Article) as he gives up his World Cup (Article).   It’s not just me that is fed up with this World Cup business is it?  Whatever happened to the club that actually pays the wages of Dyer and Michael Owen who are so desperate to go to Germany at all costs?  No wonder Glenn Roeder told Craig Moore (aka Moorecelinio) that it is, quite rightly, club before country.  (Article) (Article) (Article)   Albert Luque would do well to remember that too before he stomps off in another huff.  (Article)  Has it just passed people by that is they do well in a Black and White shirt, with the amount of media coverage we get it just might well be enough to win them a place in their respective country’s squad?  Just trying a bit could help.

Its ironic then as so many of our squad are dreaming of Germany, one who should go looks set to miss out despite performing well and having the backing of nearly everyone who offers comment on the game.  Scott Parker continues to put in the kind of displays we like to see, now with the captains armband on (Article) in the continued absence of The Lion, and the full backing of his manager (Article) (Article) and fellow players (Article). 

The former Chelsea player was confident in the wake of the FA Cup draw that saw Rob Lee give us a mid-week trip to Stamford Bridge (Article).  We’ll win it for Shearer (Article) and no fear of Jose (Article) are the right kind of words at least.  We have nothing to lose, all we ask for is the best display the 11 sent out can give us and we’ll see what happens.  Do it the hard way (Article)?  Don’t we always?

Shearer was still missing for the midweek bore that was Charlton.  (Article) (Article).  An awful game on a miserably cold night, where we lacked bite up front (Article) with the now typical identikit match reports (Article) (Article) (Article).  Except this one from The Telegraph that names Makem reject ‘keeper Mhyre as man of the match (Article).  I mean it’s not like the lad had owt to do to justify that is it?  Shola Ameobi may be playing through the pain (Article) but his ineffectiveness was at times painful to watch (Article).  Glenn Roeder reckons he should get nasty (Article) (Article).  Hang on wasn’t that last week?  At least the defence is looking more solid with praise for Boumsong’s performance from both ‘keeper (Article), manager (Article) and would be statisticians (Article).

Managerial rumours and counter rumours continue to rumble on.  It keeps someone in a job I suppose.  TalkSHITE announced on Thursday morning that according to their “sources” Martin O’Neill had agreed to become the next in the NUFC hot seat.  O’Neill’s odds at the bookies were slashed (Article) and again books at some places closed.  But still nothing definite emerges and so on we go with the rumour mill.  Following FFS’s “golf trip” with the Wigan chairman Dave Whelan Paul Jewell was thrust forward as the leading candidate yet again.  (Article)  FFS was cool (tough not in a Fonz way obviously) in his response (Article) and Whelan delightfully circumspect.  (Article) (Article).  We’ll know when we know, just take your time to get it right.  My money’s on the Daily Star to be the first in with “RIGHT SAID FRED” as a headline when the appointment is eventually made. 

The week finished with a pleasing and, if I’m honest, unexpected win over the Scouse Makems.  (Article) (Article)  Had you showed me the team sheet 5 weeks ago and said that was the side we’d play against Everton I’d have laughed if you had then told me the result.  This game was all about Nobby Solano.  In the build up, wanting goals (Article) and being praised by Supermac (Article) (cue backslapping session on Monday’s “Legends”), and in sealing the victory with 2 goals, the second a contender for goal of the season (Article) (Article).  Well done to Louise Taylor for managing to mention the Makems in her match report (Article).  The rest remain universal in their praise for the little Peruvian (Article) (Article) (Article).  Letting him go was SBR’s biggest and most costly mistake in this scribbler’s opinion and failing to use him correctly was just as equally costly to Sourness’.  Form may be temporary; class is permanent, as they say.

NM