No european action this season then, as in the end the defensive frailties noted last game (and for too many seasons if truth be told) continue to haunt us. On another night we might have came closer but a short period interspersed with half time left little hope remaining. In the end this wasn't to be a magical night, though at least we showed some commitment and looked like we cared.
The match started off well enough, if quietly enough. We looked sharper and fitter than last week, and were able to pass the ball around. That isn't to say was actually got anywhere with it. Shearer still cut a desperately lonely figure at the front, despite the best efforts of Bowyer and co to link up with him. Indeed it was indicative of the lack of real threat that the only notable chance fell to Deportivo, the ball being blazed over our bar from inside the six yard box.
If the game needed anything it was a sense of urgency and fire, which is just what it got thanks to Deportivo's keeper. Throughout the two ties Deportivo's players had been more than happy to roll around collecting grass stains at the slightest provocation and the keeper (who otherwise had good came making a number of fine saves) proved he was quite prepared to do likewise. After a typically robust, but fair, Shearer challenge he for some reason felt the need to lie on the ground and clutch his head. Other players for some reason also felt the need to get involved and things descended into an uncoreographed shoving match spilling over to the bench. This at least had the effect that everyone was suddenly "up for it" and gave the game more of the feel of a premiership tie than a continental stroll. Shortly after came what was possibly our best move of the night, the ball coming down the right, for once with real width, and Milner poking home the cross to give us a position which would see us through.
If we'd held that position until half time things may have been different. But this is Newcastle and we are easily capable of destroying ourselves. The defence went to sleep to allow a ball to drop over them. Given, possibly not believing his eyes and unwilling to accept no defender was around, reacted a little slowly and the ball was easily lifted over him into the waiting net. Cue half time and a team talk which must have said a lot about just get another goal and take it from there.
The opening of the second half did bring another goal, but at the end which left us a mountain to climb. Elliot somehow managed to get the ball under his feet whilst heading back towards his own goal, before playing a suicidally weak backpass under no real pressure. With Given stranded Carr made a valiant effort to prevent the inevitable but was overwhelmed by the numbers queuing up to score.
Suddenly finding ourselves needing three goals it became an impossible task, but not one that wasn't met with a certain degree of enthusiasm. The introduction of Ameobi eventually created more of a threat, not least because it gave Shearer someone to work alongside. We actually proposed some threat to the opposition goal, with their keeper producing two or three fine saves to prevent any thought of a come back.
In the end though it's goodbye to europe for this season. That may be no bad thing given the tiny squad size at the moment but it surely makes it harder to recruit the players we still need to replenish that squad. Still sorely evident is the requirement for some quality support for Shearer. The defence, as always, is still a concern and the midfield, whilst having some talented players, is still lacking in anything resembling natural width. Souness says at least three more players are needed. It's arguable the count should be more like five or six.
There were some positives to come from the game. The spirit and effort was good, even when facing the insurmountable deficit. Whilst the likes of Elliot clearly aren't good enough Taylor continues to grow in stature. Parker put in a solid debut but was eclipsed somewhat by man of the match Emre, who if he can keep up that form is sure to be a fine acquisition. It's a cliche to say we can concentrate on the league, but that's precisely what we can do. This is a rebuilding time, but we have to rebuild quickly and decisively. Let's hope we do.
(@09:08)
