Season 2008-2009

NEWCASTLE UNITED

0 v 0

PORTSMOUTH

Subs Not Used: Krul, Barton, Lovenkrands, Edgar

Subs Not Used: Begovic, Pamarot, Utaka, Cranie, Kanu, Basinas

Post Match Comments:

Newcastle manager Alan Shearer said:
"I don't know, I really don't know. I don't know what is going to be enough to stay up.

"Confidence in football is huge and, at the minute, the team aren't winning matches. You get into a habit and, at the minute, it's proving very difficult to win games, it's proving difficult to score goals.

"It's ironic, really, the three players that I wanted up there all had one very good chance each and you would expect at least one of those to go in. The chances were there. On another night, one goes in.

"Everybody will write us off for Liverpool, and I understand that, but we'll go there prepared and see what happens. 

"They are going for the title, and they're under pressure too. I saw them at Hull  and they didn't play particularly well, but won the game.

"We asked the fans to give us a great atmosphere. They did exactly that, and I thank them for that.

"It was the easiest team-talk of my four games – I was really pleased with the effort and commitment. There were no faults there.

"It was just that little bit of quality in the final third (that was lacking), and we would have won.

"Obviously, we started chasing it, and put on as many forwards as possible for the last 15 minutes, and it was inevitable that, in trying to win the game, we were going to leave gaps at the back.

"Whether it turns out to be a good point or a bad one, I don't know. The only thing I can guarantee is that there will be twists and turns between now and the end of the season.

"Four games is a long, long time. We've got two remaining home games, and we have to see what happens in those."
Listen to Alan Shearer speaking after the match

Portsmouth caretaker manager Paul Hart said:
"Crouch has moved the ball away from the defender, he's tripped him with his front leg and it is clear as day. Having looked at it, I thought it was a penalty when I saw it. And it is a penalty now. Definitely - Peter Crouch doesn't dive.

'It's tough when they don't get given because everyone needs a little bit of luck but there was no luck in our performance tonight. We were well-drilled, solid and from that solid base again we created an awful lot of chances.'

'Newcastle had a couple of chances but I think on reflection we had the edge, especially in the second half - I thought we were fantastic.

"I think if we'd won I may have been persuaded to say we were safe – but I'm not going to say it at the moment - I think we've got a bit of work to do. 

"I am reluctant to talk about points needed to stay up because it's looking somewhere I don't want to be - I want us to stay focused on getting these results. We've got a big game on Saturday and I expect us to be looking for a result.

"'Of course, the result put a little bit of a cushion against one of our competitors in the lower echelons. It puts a little bit of space between us.

"I think it's also sending out a message to people that we are fighting and I think that's a good message to send.'

"I thought it was a very emotional game and tough for us. Newcastle tried to throw the kitchen sink at it and we were disciplined. 'We thought we got the tactics right to play against them, we thought we knew how they would play. We want to keep picking up points and moving on. There are still points to play for before this season is over."
Listen to Paul Hart speaking after the match

BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Newcastle's Alan Smith (6.37 on 90 minutes)

Newcastle United failed to find the 3 points that they desperately needed against Portsmouth as both sides played out an 0-0 draw at St James' Park.

Newcastle boss Alan Shearer made 5 chances to the side that lost to Spurs last week.  Out of the starting line-up went Ryan Taylor, Steven Taylor, Kevin Nolan, Jonas Gutierrez and Andy Carroll, and in come Fabio Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Alan Smith, Mark Viduka and Obafemi Martins.

The home side played the much anticipated 4-3-3 formation with Captain Michael Owen playing behind the two strikers.

The first half saw Newcastle dominate possession without creating many clear cut opportunities. Portsmouth was happy to get men behind the ball, and look to play on the counter attack.

One decent chance that did fall Newcastle's way went to Martins. The Nigerian international smashed a volley over the bar from eight yards out when he should have done better.

In the second half Newcastle did create some more opportunities, but the more the game went on the more desperate their play became.

Within a minute of the restart a flicked pass from Owen put Viduka through on goal, but his shot went straight into the body of Portsmouth keeper David James.

Martins was then sent clear one-on-one with James but again failed to trouble the England goalkeeper.

Arguably, the best chance of the game fell to Owen who found the ball on the edge of the box with only the keeper to beat, but again his shot went straight at James much to frustration of the home fans.

As the second half went on Newcastle's grip of the contest wavered and it was Portsmouth who dominated the last 10 minutes.

Pompey defender Richard Hughes nearly sealed Newcastle's relegation fate when his looping header hit the post.

Newcastle got the atmosphere Alan Shearer and his players wanted, but the players could not do their part, as in the end it was a frustrating draw for the home side who will feel disappointed not to have picked up three points.

With a seemingly impossible trip to Anfield coming up this weekend it will be important that Newcastle do not damage their all important goal difference as that may yet be vital.
 

AUSSIE MAGS By Row 'S' Army