COLUMNIST KEN BUCKLEY

From my seat: Newcastle Utd (H)

No points from a game that left all in attendance as disgruntled and deflated as all those who took to the field. Worst start in 16 years and our first defeat against Newcastle in 9 years told the story of a truly dismal day down Goodison way. Optimistic pre-season hype now truly out of the window and, in a strange way, that might be our saviour as the strutting and posturing from what in reality was a make-shift side proved no substitute for a wholesome grafting team performance. The players and Manager need to urgently take this on board.

With Cahill unfit, Beckford led the line and in an underwhelming first half, his only contribution was to leave the Newcastle keeper needing to leave the field on a stretcher in a challenge that saw him booked.

We didn?t look right from the off and the half was at best poor. Early on, Newcastle had a header off target and a Barton free-kick palmed away by Howard. For the Blues, Jags headed wide and Osman, for the second week running, produced a powder puff ?back pass? when ? with a bit of foot through the ball venom ? may have produced something more tangible.

Newcastle had not been much of a threat either but their mid-field was at least working in tandem and on occasion getting new boy Ben Arfa on the ball and first he almost set up Carroll; then, on the cusp of half-time, he found himself space centrally and ,with no Blues player willing to close him down, delivered an exquisite drive that flew past Howard and into the net via the underside of the bar.

Half-time and the faithful were non-plussed such was our performance and most had ideas as to the changes that must be made.

The changes were duly announced and not greeted with glee by most. Yak for Beckford was fine but Coleman for Hibbert, leaving the weak and out of sorts Osman on, was none too popular...

We did start quicker though, with tempo up, but that?s all it was as quality and composure seemed to go out of the window, leading to passes going awry and decision-making redundant. The half went on in this way and, until 15 mins to go, nothing worth mentioning occurred.

Then Coleman, who many see as our right back saviour almost capped an average performance by bringing down Nolan in the box. From my seat, it looked nailed on, but Ref Mariner ruled he had got the ball... what a day to have a lenient Ref and we were unable to use him at the other end, where our efforts were woeful ? and that?s being generous. We did have a late, late flurry when Yak hit a post and at the death Fellaini missed a sitter but the whistle ensured the Manager will have lots to ponder upon...

Overall, a really bad day at the office ? which proves that the late-late show last week means zilch when the next game comes along, despite a few players going into print talking of ?kick-starts?. Many question Cahill but today I thought he was a big miss, maybe not in class but certainly in the sort of endeavour that rubs off and inspires others. Today not a semblance of a general ? just foot-soldiers.

A bit early to panic but I do think the manager needs to bring the players down to earth and for them to realise that all the talent in the world is useless unless it?s used as part of a rigid team strategy... because what we got today was disjointed hotch-potch. Sitting there, I couldn?t help musing on occasion that Heitinga made Carsley look world class as a back-four sitter ? and that is sure as hell not progress.

I am neither a Moyes lover nor hater; to me, he is just our present manager... and, as our present manager, I am looking to him to sort out both the plusses and ? maybe more importantly ? the minuses of our present squad... and come up with a strategy that brings out the best of what we have as so far this season, despite some domination and joined-up footy in all our matches, we are still waiting for a win in the league and that is just not good enough.

Win pretty; Win ugly... it?s his call and it?s his job to leave the players in no doubt that, whatever they think of themselves, he will pick a team to win ? no matter who has to be left out.

Picking a MotM today is no more than a matter of opinion but my offering would be Fellaini. He looked bemused and uncertain at times in his second-striker role but he never stopped giving his all and still found time to race back and make some timely headed clearances in our box, as well as probably being the most creative midfielder. A tall order for one man. Those around him should have a good look at themselves.

Two away games to come and, as ever, I will attend and hope against hope that a good dose of rehab down Finch Farm way will see the manager and players come down to earth and produce some goods that gives us a win and some smiles back on faces. Good luck Davey for it is at times like these top managers come to the fore and along with the players really earn those large salaries.

UP THE BLUES

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