the bright side of a very hot day

By: j | July 26th, 2008

Well, it really wasn’t that bad but Kevin Keegan’s return home wasn’t the most welcoming as the Magpies lost 1-0 at Keepmoat Stadium. The match was heading for a draw before ex-Motherwell / Hull City Striker Stuart Elliott found the back of the net. However in-truth, with ten players out and Doncaster looking to impress their home fans, the result was somewhat predictable yet there was a number of positives to come out of the day.

First and foremost the result should not have you hitting the panic button as Doncaster’s performance was not only to be expected but the Magpies basically went into the match knowing they had less than the optimal squad.

Oddly as we look deeper at todays match the continued solid work of Danny Guthrie and Steven Taylor as well the introduction of eighteen year-old Plymouth-native Ben Tozer’s into the lineup has me feeling optimistic of the ground-work being laid. Trialist Sébastien Bassong of Metz impressed Kevin Keegan and Charles N’Zoglia seems to have awakened with the opportunities this pre-season and given every indication to be quite happy in Newcastle. With a few possible additions on the near horizon and players returning from injury, things are starting to look positive.

Newcastle United - Steve Harper; Sanchez Jose Enrique, Claudio Cacapa; Danny Guthrie, Damien Duff, Charles N’Zoglia, Alan Smith, Geremi, Shola Ameobi, Steven Taylor, Sebastien Bassong

Subs used - Tim Krul for Harper 57mins; David Edgar for Cacapa 64mins; Ben Tozer for Geremi 78mins; Subs not used - , Frank Danquah, , Callum Morris, Mark Doninger, Ryan Donaldson, Jonathan Godsmark

Doncaster:
1st half - Neil Sullivan; Robbie Hall, Trialist, Trialist, Gareth Roberts; James Coppinger, Richie Wellens, James Hayter, Martin Woods; Gareth Taylor, Lewis Guy,

2nd half - Ben Smith; Sam Hird, Trialist, Trialist, Gareth Roberts; Mark Wilson, Richie Wellens, John Spicer, Stuart Elliott, Tomi Ameobi, Paul Heffernan.

Subs used - Andrew Boyce for Trialist, 54 mins; Craig Nelthorpe for Roberts 67mins; Waide Fairhurst for Wellens 67mins; Robbie Hall for Trialist, 84 mins.