By Nu Mad
Updated Monday, 6th August 2007
The final match for Big Sam to run the rule over his players before the real action starts next week, and (injuries apart) I think he will be happy at how the pre-season build up has gone.
NEWCASTLE UNITED: Given (Harper 38); Carr, Rozehnal, Taylor, N'Zogbia; Solano (Ameobi 46), Geremi, Butt, Milner (Ramage 69), Viduka (Martins 46), Smith. |
They have seen a lot in those seven years, both players have been to the top of the game and won medals, while Leeds have been a sorry sight without them. But that's football for you.
Can they take Newcastle to the heights of Manchester United or Celtic? Only time will tell. Smith is here for the long haul, while Viduka is a stop-gap, but two still two of the best players in the Premiership.
Geremi was again given the captain's armband, just as he was at Hull City in midweek, and with Joey Barton set to sit out the start of the campaign it looks odds-on the ex-Chelsea midfielder will skipper the team at Bolton next week.
It was lively encounter, with Devecchio and Nicky Butt squaring up to each other in the first half as tackles flew. And some could argue a little TOO lively. But it was the perfect workout at the Italians refused to lie down and take a beating just so the home crowd could have a happy day in the sun.
Viduka looked very sharp, certainly showing no signs of burn-out after his trip to the Far East on international duty with the Socceroos. His link-up play was superb, showing strength to worry the defenders and quick feet and speed of thought that will (hopefully) have Premiership defenders struggling to get to grips with him.
Viduka departed at half time, replaced by Shola Ameobi, with the score at 0-0.
The one concern was Steve Harper replacing Shay Given on 38 minutes, and not many of us in the crowd could work out why. Given sprinted down the tunnel so he was obviously not too worse for wear.
Smith should have scored in the 51st minute but his tap-in goal was ruled offside, when video footage later showed he was on-side. The England international thought he had marked his first appearance for United with a goal early in the second half, but having tapped in the rebound after Ameobi had seen a header saved, the flag went up.
Thankfully, the striker did not have to wait long for another chance to come his way. And when James Milner's delightfully-floated corner found his run from deep, the forward gave Sampdoria goalkeeper Antonio Mirante no chance.
Oba Martins played in the second half in a wide midfield position - so he would appear to still have a significant role to play should Allardyce go with Smith and Viduka up front. Then again, Smith played midfield for Man Utd, so they could easily switch.
Allardyce also has a revived Albert Luque to fall back on, while Michael Owen will expect to be a regular when he finally becomes a Newcastle (rather than England) player.
Another perplexing problem for Allardyce is what to do with Kieron Dyer. He still has belief in him, or so he says, although the Magpies boss openly said he was "more gutted than Alan Curbishley" when the deal went wrong on Saturday.
The midfielder was not even among the substitutes against Sampdoria following the shock collapse of the transfer, and we all know how he was greeted by the Toon Army when he appeared as a sub against Juventus.
Smith's goal and encouraging displays from Geremi in midfield and David Rozehnal at the heart of the defence, means that Allardyce's new arrivals seem to be settling in well.
And, with Spain Under-21 international left-back Jose Enrique and Brazilian centre-back Claudio Caçapa watching from the stands, Allardyce's squad is starting to take shape. But throwing everyone in at the Reebok on Saturday could be a lot of pressure on everyone. Sadly they didn't sign three weeks ago.
