It was yet another match where Boro did not have enough. Enough belief, enough attack, enough time, enough anything.
Brad Jones was once again surprisingly good, he made some excellent saves, he committed himself fully and even his kicking seems to have improved. But again it wasn't quite enough.
Pogatetz needed help, he needed back-up from his team mates and none came. Bellamy's goal was good but not spectacular and should not have won City the match.
Digard returned from suspension and was partnered by... Matthew Bates. No disrespect to Bates, he has done very well out of position but where was Josh Walker? And if there was something wrong with Josh, why was Gary O'Neil sitting on the bench?
Alves had a fairly good day, he got into good positions and shot on target but he could not find the net. He had four chances and he blasted them all straight at Shay Given.
Given has kept Newcastle in many a game for the past twelve years but on his debut for Manchester City he did not have to do so because we never really troubled him. What little he had to do he did well but really he was wasted in goal against a side so poor at attacking. Believe me it gives me no pleasure to say that.
We are (somewhat miraculously) still in the FA Cup, so next weekend we take on West Ham at Upton Park. I am not confident about our chances of progressing but it does give us a week without a League match when our injuries can creep closer to fitness and the rest of the team can think about something other than relegation for a few hours. The fans are not so lucky. Neither for that matter is Gareth Southgate.
First published on www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/fanzone - Feb 09
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