http://www.nufc.com/ The doom mongers didn't get the result they were hoping for but the performance at the Britannia Stadium must rank as one of the worst under the guidance of Sam Allardyce. Only the woeful displays at Derby, Wigan and Fulham could rival an inept showing in front of the Beeb's cameras as Newcastle stayed in the FA Cup by the skin of their teeth. The squad selection begged more questions about those not included than those in the 16 as messrs Milner, Emre and Beye were all missing. Milner was absent due to a heavy cold and Emre and Beye were officially missing due to ankle and hamstring injuries, respectively, but to see Kazenga LuaLua, Andy Carroll and David Edgar on the bench was surprising to say the least. LuaLua's last game was in the FA Youth Cup game against Shrewsbury and Carroll has been on loan at Preston but both were thrust into the action in an awful second half that should have seen us bow out of the competition. Our chances were few and far between with Viduka's snapshot, Owen's smothered attempt and Carroll's last gasp effort into the side netting, the nearest we came to breaching an inexperienced Championship defence. Nicky Butt had a couple of efforts that whistled over the bar but such was the inaccuracy of his distribution, it was difficult to know if they were just stray passes. Only Steven Taylor and Abdoulaye Faye came out of the game with any great credit for valiant displays at the back while summer signings Enrique and Rozehnal both look to be some way off adapting to English football. Captain Alan Smith was again treading water in a deep midfield role while Damien Duff scampered down the wing to no great effect in his third game back. The little and large combination up front of Viduka and Owen was again ineffective but service up to them was minimal to say the least. Charles N'Zogbia looked to be our main threat in his more advanced midfield role but often ran into trouble by trying to beat that extra man. While Stoke may have wasted their best opportunity to take our scalp by wasting some seemingly unmissable second half opportunities, the replay is by no means a foregone conclusion. Alex Ferguson was watching from the stands but he will be sleeping soundly this week knowing that his title challenge will not be threatened by the black and white shambles he saw. With players disappearing to Ghana, going on trial and picking up injuries and illnesses, January trips to Old Trafford and the Emirates look frightening prospects. Only a home game against Allardyce's old side Bolton seems to offer any respite. Any chance to alleviate any pressure was well and truly missed and Big Sam's cheery demeanour as he left the pitch was surely rueful rather than joyful. --

※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc) ◆ From: 61.62.77.83 ※ 編輯: lapoto 來自: 61.62.77.83 (01/07 11:18)