Back from the game - Newcastle

[plroyals]

excellent performance, if we can play like that till the end of the season we should be fine. was really impressed by Mariappa, Hunt and Pog. Shorey was a big improvement on Harte. Hunt was my MOTM, thought he won everything in the air today. Gutted we didn't get the win we deserved, we will play worse than that and win this season. hope we stick with the same 11.

[LoyalRoyalFan]

McCarthy and Shorey > Federici and Harte.

[CayeneMatt]

Hunt and McAnuff were brilliant today, and I also thought Pog had his best game. But Roberts still managed to cause havoc during his 10 minute cameo. To the extent that I would start with Hunt/Roberts next game.

Personal apologies to McAnuff for slagging him recently, he more than made up for it today in attitude, determination and ability.

[John Madejski's Wallet]

Hunt and McAnuff were brilliant today, and I also thought Pog had his best game. But Roberts still managed to cause havoc during his 10 minute cameo. To the extent that I would start with Hunt/Roberts next game.

I thought Roberts coming on f*cked us up for a bit (in which time they scored), but once Alf came on Roberts was class.

Roberst and Hunt are not that good together. For me its Hunt/Pog or Roberts/Alf..... though Roberts/Pog may be worth a try imo

[RoyalBlue]

But did any of our team spot the handball? I didn't see any protests at the time. If they didn't the right to review would have made no difference.

[Rex]

McDermott said we are not a team of protesters. What ever that means.

[SydenhamRoyal]

But did any of our team spot the handball? I didn't see any protests at the time. If they didn't the right to review would have made no difference.

Yes a couple of players were arguing with the ref, and I wondered what they were arguing about - so yeah I didnt see the handball either

[SydenhamRoyal]

[quote="andrew1957"]So much better today.

It is still hard to know if we have enough quality but all the sides we have played sit in the top 12 of the table so it is hard to judge, but my belief is that if we can keep the standard of today up we will finish comfortably above the drop zone.

McCarthy 7 - Commanded the box.
Cummings 7 - Very good going forward, put in some teasing crosses, solid, and some brilliant tackles
Mariappa 7 - so much more comfortable on the ball than either of our either CBs
Gorkks 6 - ok
Shorey 6 - same player as Harte, just better at it
Kebe 7 - He did what he wanted
Karacan - 7 - solid
Legs - 7 solid. And much better on the ball than in previous weeks. Surprised 24000 people plus himself when he dribbled past three players in the middle of the park
McAnuff - 8 - excellent today at the back and going forward. So unlucky not to hit the winner
Hunt - 7 - good game
Pog - 7 - good game. Actually looked interested unlike v Spurs and West Brom.

[RepressedRoyal]

Keep it as it is for now..Pog & Hunt for 75 mins, Roberts and Alf for fifteen looks a good option in close games...It was Hunt that did it for me, I was in firmly in the belief that he was not a premier League footballer. One performance doesn't make a season but he is showing encouraging signs of proving me wrong...top performance.

[royalsroyalsroyals92]

Watching online i really wasnt impressed with Hunt. Ive since been told he won alot of his headers and did alright, btu i cant help but feel if he hadnt scored today, people may have been slating him on here. To me he is just too much of a works-hard-but-not-much-else player. Im all for him proving me wrong though, but seeing his name on the team sheet will never fill me with optimism

[Tony Le Mesmer]

Watching online i really wasnt impressed with Hunt.

A PC healthcheck is order then. Hunt MOM.

That said, everyone played well today, its been a while since Ive left the game feeling robbed.

1 point today, but in terms of our end of season tally it was worth a lot more than that.

[sandman]

McCarthy 4
Cummings 7
Mariappa 7
Gorkks 7
Shorey 8

Kebe 8
Leigertwood 7
Karacan 7
McAnuff 9

Pog 7
Hunt 8

[philM]

But did any of our team spot the handball? I didn't see any protests at the time. If they didn't the right to review would have made no difference.

According to some of the press reports some our players did protest, but I didn't notice it. I also didn't notice it at the time but apparently Ba tapped his hand and then shrugged during his celebration.

The shrug...



As BM has said "The fourth official said something about not too many players appealing. The goalkeeper appealed straight away but that is not what we are about, we don't want players jumping up and down."

[Mike Hunt]

McCarthy 4
Cummings 7
Mariappa 7
Gorkks 7
Shorey 8

Kebe 8
Leigertwood 7
Karacan 7
McAnuff 9

Pog 7
Hunt 8

Mega Wum

[loyalroyal4life]

Gutted we didnt win that, feels like 2 points dropped even though we played really well. All players who came in did well, just not sure about gorkss over pearce but it could be with fact that he plays left side of CB partnership.

Be good to see if we kick on from here starting next week. So unlucky at the end with Mcanuff and Roberts chances. Big improvement from Mcanuff, he will need to step it up to keep Mcleary out who looks more than comfortable at this level!

So thankful Harte is now just a distant memory! Ba was so lucky with the 2nd goal, blatant handball

[RedRum]

McCarthy - 7 - pretty quiet game, literally nothing to do 1st half. Commanded his box, but tbf Toon's crossing was woeful
Cummings - 7 - sooo much better than Gunter today I thought. Worked defensively with Kebe well, great getting forward with him too, needs to stop hitting 40 yard longballs into the keeper though.
Mapps - 8 - Great league debut for him. Fast and intercepted well.
Gorkss - 7 - bit clumsy at times but generally won everything.
Shorey - 7 - great getting forward, poor set pieces today IMO. Sooo much better than Harte though, gives Jobi lots more potential getting forward
Ledge - 7 - everyone was basically solid today, he broke up play well, good battle in the midfield with him and tiote
Karacan - 8 - all over the pitch, loved it when he skipped past about 4 challenges. Can see why Brian dropped Guthrie, he couldn't have the same effect. The partnership between Jem and ledge was great to see again
McAnuff - 9 - Great today, proved his critics wrong. Gave their defence a nightmare with his speedy dribbling, provided great crosses and was a real inspiration. Really wished he scored that beautiful finesse
Kebe - 8 - defensively with Cummings is just fantastic. Never stops putting 100% in, had matured so much from the lazy kebe we used to know. Didn't offer to much in the way of chances, but finished well and we must all apologise for thinking McCleary should start instead. God.
Hunt - 9 - most people's MoM. Scored, won tons of flick ons, never stopped running. His best game ever, possibly.
Pog - 8 - was a real handful first half, his strength is just incredible.

Subs- 6/7 - Roberts did well I thought, was unlucky not to score. Alfie and McCleary did well but didn't have much chances

[RepressedRoyal]

Watching online i really wasnt impressed with Hunt. Ive since been told he won alot of his headers and did alright, btu i cant help but feel if he hadnt scored today, people may have been slating him on here. To me he is just too much of a works-hard-but-not-much-else player. Im all for him proving me wrong though, but seeing his name on the team sheet will never fill me with optimism

Nor me until today, he looks like he has worked hard on his fitness and is giving it his all to be PL player, fair play to him, he certainly smacked a metaphorical custard pie in the face of my opinion of him, long may it continue

[Upper West Ginger]

Kebe + Cummings >>>>>>>>> McCleary + Gunter.

Hunt excellent today - my MOTM.

Don't expect to see Harte in the first team unless Shorey is ill or suspended.

I wonder what a Mariappa + Pearce pairing would be like?

[old woman]

As BM has said "The fourth official said something about not too many players appealing. The goalkeeper appealed straight away but that is not what we are about, we don't want players jumping up and down."[/quote]

Does that mean he would have given the decision if all 11 players had surrounded him, pointed their fingers at him and screamed blue murder? What a stupid comment -4th official should stick to putting the numbers on the board and holding it above his head.

[LoyalRoyalFan]

McCarthy 4