Toon Fans Question Roeder Team Selection

 

FULHAM: Lastuvka, Rosenior, Christanval, Bocanegra, Queudrue,Routledge (Dempsey 78), Brown, Volz (Diop 67), Davies,Helguson, McBride (Montella 80).

Subs Not Used: Knight, Radzinski.

 

 

NEWCASTLE UTD: Harper, Carr, Bramble, Onyewu, Taylor, Milner,Parker, Butt, Duff (Sibierski 68), Dyer (Solano 85), Martins.

Subs Not Used: Srnicek, Huntington, O'Brien.

 

 

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So this is the central defensive partnership that will bring us glory in coming years - Titus Bramble and Oguchi Onyewu? On the face of it a powerful, bruising presence, make no mistake. But will Bramble EVER get over his habit of making mistakes EVERY match.

He, and Nicky Butt, gave this game away. And some could question why Stephen Carr was even on the pitch, because he played his part in gifting the second goal. He is not up to the job, and having seen Nobby Solano work wonders at full-back, I was not the only one asking questions before the game on Saturday.

Butt blundered with a dismal backpass in the 49th minute which let Helguson gallop through and thunder a shot beyond goalkeeper Steve Harper. And Bramble could have been sent off for a deliberate tug on Helguson when the striker was clean through in the 60th minute.

Four minutes later, though, McBride's sweeping right-footed shot - following Papa Bouba Diop skipping past Carr - confirmed Newcastle's first league defeat of 2007.

Obafemi Martins stoppage-time goal was a consolation but also showed the side were willing to fight to the death.

It was a dreadful first half, but Fulham were good value for a fine win because they took control of the game in the second period.