Stalemate

Finally, the run of five defeats ended albeit unfashionably. Finally a clean sheet to savour since march(vs liverpool 1-0). Woke up around 2.30am to watch and surprsingly i didn't had any trouble waking up although i only sleep for less than 3 hours. At least i didn't have to go to work in the morning :) Anyways, the same thing against Man U started this game. Dyer started the game although it didn't take him long to be brought off the pitch due to his persistent hamstring problem. But during the time on the pitch, he was the only players to trouble boro's defence. He was running them ragged, no doubt. And once he left the pitch, any threats were nullified although we did have some more chances to scores but not taking it.

Usually, in this type of games, where we look to be in an unimaginative mode, the supportes would get onto the players' back with booing and groaning. That was not the case this morning. Its a good thing that people realised that the team were made up of fringe players and that they did put in effort and gave it all. I, as usual, was very disapppointed with some of the players, notably ameobi. He looks off pace, off touch and ........

I was particularly please with peter ramage's performance. He didn't put a foot wrong and look comfortable especially in the 2nd half. He looked kinda nervous at the start with some misplaced passes but he got over that and never looked back. My guess is he will start at right back in the ext game unless carr moves back to his normal position if any of the central midfielders are back. It'll be a selection problem for souness.

I don't want to be critical of the team's performance and the lack of chances that he created to win the game but we have to win this weekend against Crystal Palace. They are definitely bouyed by last week's win against liverpool. I'm not sure if souness will start with the same team but i hope the players can win it for us, the supporters. Please.....

NUFC: Given, Ramage, Elliott, O'Brien, Carr, Boumsong, Dyer (Ameobi 35), Milner, N'Zogbia, Shearer, Ambrose.
Subs n/u: Harper, Kluivert, Robert, Brittain.

Booked: Ambrose (foul on Queudrue)

Smogs: Jones, Davies, Ehiogu, Southgate, Queudrue, Parlour, Doriva, Boateng, Zenden (Downing 65), Nemeth (Graham 83), Hasselbaink.
Subs n/u: Reiziger, Wheater, Knight.

Booked: Hasselbaink, Doriva.

Crowd: 52,047

Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire)

Alan Shearer overtook Rob Lee as our most experienced Premiership player, making his 268th Premier League appearance for Newcastle in this game.

The goalless draw didn't change our highest and lowest possible Premiership positions which remain 7th and 19th respectively.