Super Kev does it against Ex-Mackem Keano

An efficient and controlled performance saw the severely depleted magpies back to the top of the championship and Roy Keane another step closer to having more time to walk his dog Trigg’s.

The whole game was wrapped up after a crazy 5 minute spell where the magpie’s we’re dominant and Ipswich defence all at sea (not for the first time this season as well).
Kevin Nolan, not my favourite player and still looking fat in my opinion, was benefactor scoring the first hat-trick by a toon midfielder since Rob Lee’s hat-trick of headers all the way back in 1994.

His first goal was a brilliant header, which had Big Al appreciation in the MOTD room. The second was a good move via a brilliant pass from Andy Carroll; Nolan then cleverly went past the challenge from an Ipswich defender and smashed the ball past the helpless Richard Wright.
Ryan Taylor finally scored a free-kick which wasn’t against us, although I do doubt that he meant it (similar to Gerrard’s goal v Hull), by this time I couldn’t help keep a smile of my face and just laugh at how shocking Ipswich we’re.
The fourth goal was made mainly by Zurab (who had a great game in my opinion, contrary to what the stupid Mark Bright said), who kept the ball on the far-side of the pitch and even skipped past the linesman, passed to Ryan Taylor who then crossed it for Nile Ranger to head but before the defender on the post could clear it, Super Kev was there to head in his first professional hat-trick, to make the travelling toon army jubilant and send the home fan’s looking forward to getting back to their Norfolk farms.

The only disappointment’s were more injuries to Colocini and Ryan Taylor, although both didn’t look serious contrary again to that idiot Mark Bright, and that Nile Ranger didn’t get a goal which his performance’s have certainly deserved, but I believe one he score’s one then they will come by the dozen especially in this league. Marlon Harewood looked promising and look’s like he will become a useful addition in the championship.

It wasn’t a brilliant performance, but we can only beat what’s in front of us, and considering what we’ve seen so far this season, the quality of this division is quite awful, despite us being everyone’s ‘cup final’. Another key reason for the result and performance was the return to the 4-4-2 formation, 4-5-1 is a weak formation where if we want to use Andy Carroll’s or even Nile Ranger’s then 4-4-2 must be used, hopefully Chris Hughton has learned this now.
A weekend where it was a favourable set of result’s and for once we capitalised on this, to send us rightfully back to top of the table. We have the best Goal Difference in the league and the joint best defence in the country.

Next up are two very winnable game’s at home to QPR and Bristol City (I’m Going to This, Thank God), should see us cement our place at the top of the table and further the 4 point gap between automatic promotion and the play-off’s.

Player Ratings:
Steve Harper – 7 – Had Fucked All To Do.
Zurab – 7- Promising Performance despite in being in his un-favoured role, I thought he would be decent since Big Sam doesn’t rate him.
Colocini - 6.5 – Not outstanding but didn’t need to be.
S. Taylor – 7 – Another Solid Performance from a defender that should walk this league.
Enrique – 6 – Overall Good Game but his judgement on passing is quite shocking to be honest, both of Ipswich’s best move’s came from passes from himself.
R. Taylor – 7 – Solid Performance, he has certainly found his level in this division, but that’s no bad thing for us this season. His set pieces have clearly improved this season, which can only be a positive
Butt – 5.5 – Seeing this guy on the team sheet send’s shiver’s in-front of many Newcastle fan’s, thankfully we could laugh this performance off but his general play is still shocking, and being captain, but that’s for another day.
Smith – 7 – Another solid performance from a player that is the best player in this division in my opinion, still can’t tackle though.
Nolan – 8.5 – MOTM and rightly so, he’s thriving on this free-role he’s been given behind the striker’s, and popped at the right time’s, I was more impressed with his work rate which was excellent, hopefully he’s coming back to full fitness compared to what he started the season.
Nile Ranger – 7.5 – The boy just keeps getting better in my opinion each game I see him, unlucky not to score but he will soon, and the flood-gates will open for this talented boy.
Andy Carroll – 6.5 – Quite game from Andy, but made one excellent for Nolan’s 2nd Goal.

Check out for more posts during the week, on all matter’s Newcastle and my opinion on what’s happening in the Football World.