Watford 1 Newcastle United 2
27/Feb/10, KO 3pm, Vicarage Road, WTCTSDTD, Att: 17, 120.
Collocini, you can shag me wife oh Coloccini.....I want curly hair too!
Indeed....well, before I get my coat I’m chuffed to report on a big win for United and a large step towards our return to the PL.
We lined up with a 4-4-2 with Best coming in for Lowenkrands the only change from Preston last weekend. We got off to a cracking start after 4 mins with Gutierrez winning a free kick out on the left which Guthrie swung in. Nolan headed back across for Coloccini to nod in from close to great cheers from the away end much taken by our Argentines wedding singer’s bonce.
Watford, clearly missing the presence of Cleverly in midfield failed to make any impression on our defence and I struggle to remember a significant save from Harper. Coloccini was in total control at the back with Williamson impressing again with alert challenges. Taylors injury hasn’t been as significant a miss as we might have feared - much of that can be put down to Williamson's composure since joining us. Less of a miss will be Van Aanholt who has more to learn in his trade, particularly in his positioning and was receiving the odd bollock from Smith. Enrique’s return will be great news for us in both defence and attack.
It was a dire first half footballing wise in truth but it was United's game to lose with Watford easily kept at arm’s length. Then with 6 mins after the re-start we doubled our lead when Guthrie’s corner was met with a strong header by Carroll - though why Watford didn’t have a man on the near post was baffling considering Carroll's threatin the air. I'm not complaining. Massive moment in the game which really sealed the 3 points for us.
The game wore on without much else to report with United able to stroll through the majority of the game. Our midfield clearly missed the snap of Routledge but such were Watford’s lack of using their possession to much effect this wasn’t exposed. Guthrie had another quiet game on the flank but did contribute with the free kick and corner leading to both goals. Best, who didn’t make any impression on Watford’s defence at all, was replaced with 15 mins left by Ranger who showed again enough evidence of decent touch and control and for me there’s a question mark on Best being given the head over Ranger.
Towards the end of the game Watford finally woke up. McGinn should have done better to connect with a half volley and a good interception by the impressive Williamson denied Helguson to get on the end of a cross before Hoskins got a consolation for the Hornets right on 90 mins.
Putting aside the average quality of the game and the poor opposition this was a massive win for United, particularly with Forest losing heavily at Leicester. The relief at winning away for the first time nearly 3 months in the WTCTSDTD was tangible in the stands and outside the ground was heartily celebrated.
There is still a job to do for us but promotion is very very much in our hands with the Reading game still to play. And we missed the monsoon by 20 mins as well. Right then, I’m off the get a perm for Saturday.
Newcastle United: Harper 6, Van Aanholt 5, COLLOCCINI 8, Williamson 8, Simpson 6, Gutierrez 6 (Taylor n/a), Smith 6, Nolan 5, Guthrie 6 (Pancake n/a), Best 5 (Ranger 6), Carroll 6
Ref: Tony Bates 5. Quite card happy for what wasn’t a particularly dirty match, though Nolan could have been sent off for a later tackle in the 2nd half. A couple of obvious throw ins were missed by both referee and linesmen.
Our Crowd: 8. Boisterous and loud. Hearty renditions of the Coloccini tribute. Sounds better than the Man United original about Hargreaves as well.
Their Crowd: 3. Barely noticed them. Doesn’t help them with in effect a 3 sided ground.
Guy Hannay-Wilson.
Indeed....well, before I get my coat I’m chuffed to report on a big win for United and a large step towards our return to the PL.
We lined up with a 4-4-2 with Best coming in for Lowenkrands the only change from Preston last weekend. We got off to a cracking start after 4 mins with Gutierrez winning a free kick out on the left which Guthrie swung in. Nolan headed back across for Coloccini to nod in from close to great cheers from the away end much taken by our Argentines wedding singer’s bonce.
Watford, clearly missing the presence of Cleverly in midfield failed to make any impression on our defence and I struggle to remember a significant save from Harper. Coloccini was in total control at the back with Williamson impressing again with alert challenges. Taylors injury hasn’t been as significant a miss as we might have feared - much of that can be put down to Williamson's composure since joining us. Less of a miss will be Van Aanholt who has more to learn in his trade, particularly in his positioning and was receiving the odd bollock from Smith. Enrique’s return will be great news for us in both defence and attack.
It was a dire first half footballing wise in truth but it was United's game to lose with Watford easily kept at arm’s length. Then with 6 mins after the re-start we doubled our lead when Guthrie’s corner was met with a strong header by Carroll - though why Watford didn’t have a man on the near post was baffling considering Carroll's threatin the air. I'm not complaining. Massive moment in the game which really sealed the 3 points for us.
The game wore on without much else to report with United able to stroll through the majority of the game. Our midfield clearly missed the snap of Routledge but such were Watford’s lack of using their possession to much effect this wasn’t exposed. Guthrie had another quiet game on the flank but did contribute with the free kick and corner leading to both goals. Best, who didn’t make any impression on Watford’s defence at all, was replaced with 15 mins left by Ranger who showed again enough evidence of decent touch and control and for me there’s a question mark on Best being given the head over Ranger.
Towards the end of the game Watford finally woke up. McGinn should have done better to connect with a half volley and a good interception by the impressive Williamson denied Helguson to get on the end of a cross before Hoskins got a consolation for the Hornets right on 90 mins.
Putting aside the average quality of the game and the poor opposition this was a massive win for United, particularly with Forest losing heavily at Leicester. The relief at winning away for the first time nearly 3 months in the WTCTSDTD was tangible in the stands and outside the ground was heartily celebrated.
There is still a job to do for us but promotion is very very much in our hands with the Reading game still to play. And we missed the monsoon by 20 mins as well. Right then, I’m off the get a perm for Saturday.
Newcastle United: Harper 6, Van Aanholt 5, COLLOCCINI 8, Williamson 8, Simpson 6, Gutierrez 6 (Taylor n/a), Smith 6, Nolan 5, Guthrie 6 (Pancake n/a), Best 5 (Ranger 6), Carroll 6
Ref: Tony Bates 5. Quite card happy for what wasn’t a particularly dirty match, though Nolan could have been sent off for a later tackle in the 2nd half. A couple of obvious throw ins were missed by both referee and linesmen.
Our Crowd: 8. Boisterous and loud. Hearty renditions of the Coloccini tribute. Sounds better than the Man United original about Hargreaves as well.
Their Crowd: 3. Barely noticed them. Doesn’t help them with in effect a 3 sided ground.
Guy Hannay-Wilson.