Derby vs. Newcastle

[Guest glasgowdon]

Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce is worried he could be short of numbers as he tries to pick up the pieces of his side's first defeat of the season.

 

Allardyce's men lost 1-0 to Derby at Pride Park on Monday night, with Rams debutant Kenny Miller firing home a stunning long-range effort to give the hosts all three points.

 

Miller's classy strike gave Derby their first win of the season and lifted them above Bolton at the foot of the Barclays Premier League.

 

But although Allardyce was frustrated by the result, he is already crossing his fingers that injuries do not further hinder his team's progress with England striker Michael Owen coming off as a precaution with a minor groin niggle.

 

The Magpies face West Ham on Sunday, followed by a Carling Cup visit to Arsenal on Tuesday and Manchester City away a week on Saturday.

 

Allardyce said: "He (Owen) felt his groin at half-time. I gave him the opportunity to go back on because he wanted to but I didn't want to risk him for longer than five or 10 minutes and we took him off as a precaution."

 

Asked if he would available at the weekend, Allardyce said: "Yes. We need him to to be fit because we have too many injured as it is.

 

"We've got to get our whole squad together. We need the Mark Vidukas, the Joey Bartons, the Damien Duffs, the Jose Enriques, even the Celestine Babayaros.

 

"But we have a six-day, three-game week coming up. We've been dealt a blow by the Premier League because of the Carling Cup match.

 

"We've been told we have to play on Tuesday night after playing West Ham on Sunday so it's my turn to moan now rather than the big boys.

 

"We have a very difficult week ahead of us and I just hope we have enough men to cope."

 

Reflecting on the defeat at Pride Park, he added: "We're very disappointed by the result. To beat these sides you've got to score when your chances come.

 

"Our two best chances fell to David Rozehnal and Shola Ameobi in the first 20 minutes with just the keeper to beat. Neither hit the target."

 

Like Owen, Miller had a check-up at half-time due to a hamstring problem that has kept him out of action for both club and country since he signed for the Rams on deadline day.

 

"He's still struggling for match fitness," said Derby boss Billy Davies.

 

"I said to him at half-time he had to tell us (if he was feeling it) because we didn't want to push him too far. But it was nice to get as much as we got from him."

 

But the former Preston boss could not hide his satisfaction at the former Celtic player's match-winning display.

 

"He is what he is. He's an international striker and he's scored goals at every level.

 

"He has the ability and the pace we need. We identified plenty of other players and we are disappointed we haven't got one or two more but that is for very different reasons.

 

"I'm certainly delighted to have Kenny."

 

I noticed Paddy Power have already paid out on Derby going down. Can they save themselves?

[Dynamo]

Newcastle were shiiiiiit, from what I saw in the 2nd half. Didn't create 1 good chance!

[minijc]

Not a fan of Newcastle but for some reason they frustrate me alot, they have a decent squad of players this year, Yet they are losing matches against sh*t teams that they should be beating by a few goals.

[Sonoftherock]

I noticed Paddy Power have already paid out on Derby going down. Can they save themselves?

 

No, they are sh*te.

 

Newcastle are a very generous football team, who will occasionally inexplicably gift the opposition three points - I imagine thats what happened last night.

[vanderark14]

No, they are sh*te.

 

Newcastle are a very generous football team, who will occasionally inexplicably gift the opposition three points - I imagine thats what happened last night.

 

well you imagine wrong.

 

Derby deserved their win last night.

 

they fought for every ball (especially Pearson and Miller) and should have scored a 2nd.

[zig-a-zig-ah]

Newcastle -1 @ 23/10 seemed like a good idea yesterday....wish I hadn't bothered.

 

Newcastle were rank rotten.

[BobbyBiscuit]

well you imagine wrong.

 

Derby deserved their win last night.

 

they fought for every ball (especially Pearson and Miller) and should have scored a 2nd.

 

Pearson was excellent last night.

 

Newcastle just seem to have a "nothingness" about them.

[vanderark14]

Newcastle -1 @ 23/10 seemed like a good idea yesterday....wish I hadn't bothered.

 

Newcastle were rank rotten.

 

 

someone on the aberdeenmad board put

[vanderark14]

Pearson was excellent last night.

 

Newcastle just seem to have a "nothingness" about them.

 

back to their norm then