Dundee United 1 Newcastle United 1
Tannadice Park
Sunday 2nd August Kick-off 3pm
Sixth and final pre-season friendly of the season.
2,500 Newcastle fans made the trip to Tannadice Park. Before the game started a standing overation and rendtion of "Walking In A Robson Wonderland" was sung and everyone in the ground joined in. Sir Bobby who passd away on Friday would have been proud.
Chris Hughton put out his best available team. Missing were Shola Ameobi (not sure why), Habib Beye (injured), Butt (injured), Guthrie (injured), Coloccini (injured), Xisco (not sure why), Bassong (left out due to suspension which keeps him out of the West Brom game next Saturday).
We wore our new third strip, a blue and black stripe shirt affair and lift blue shorts.
The first half was a dull affair althought the players did treat the match as a competeive game. Chances fell to Kevin Nolan (7 mins), Joey Barton (10 mins) and Andy Carroll on 40 mins.
No changes to the team at half time. The goal came on 60 minutes when Andy Carroll made the most of a mix up between Dundee keeper and defender to drill the ball home into the the net.
The first of two soft penalties was missed however in the 85th minute David Goodwillie of Dundee Utd score to level the match. Ryan Taylor adjudge to have tugged the shirt of a Dundee tangerine.
Acting Manager Comments: Chris Hughton
talking to nufcTV straight after the match he said
"It's been an emotional weekend for players, staff and fans at the club. The support we had today was tremendous and at the end of the game the players made a point of thanking the fans for that. They have travelled in great number in memory of Sir Bobby and that shows how much he meant to the Geordie people."
Chris Hughton Pleased with Match Against Dundee Utd talking to nufcTV
"It was exactly what we wanted. Both teams wanted to win the game and showed great desire - it was certainly feisty and hard fought at times. But that is what you want, and our lads certainly showed their desire in voicing their opinions about the two penalty decisions. We thought both of them were harsh and we were disappointed not to get the win. We deserved a win on the balance of chances and Joey Barton has been denied a couple of goals by two great saves, as was Kevin Nolan. But it was an ideal final friendly match and we now have five days to continue our preparations for Saturday's game at West Brom."
Chris Hughton Andy Carroll Goal A Boost, talking to nufcTV
"The goal at Dundee would have certainly lifted him, It was a tough afternoon for Andy up against two strong central defenders who are used to coming up against physical players. I think he will certainly learn from that. He didn't get it all his own way but I was delighted that he kept going and got his reward with the goal. He's got a chance this year to make a starting spot his own and he's had a good pre-season. He's scored a couple of goals and we will be looking for him to take that into the new season."
About Bassong and Beye he said to The Chronicle
“Seb and Habib were always going to miss Dundee United – Seb is suspended for West Brom and Habib has a hip problem. But we have lost Oba, who has obviously gone to Wolfsburg. In all honesty my thoughts were all on the game with Dundee. And the first I knew of the bid for Seb was when I saw it at the team hotel on TV. It was news to me then and I am not expected to talk to anybody from the club until later today, I will talk to Derek Llambias, I don’t know any of the facts"
About Obafemi Martins he said to The Chronicle
"Oba has gone and it is a shame to lose a talented player. He offered us pace and directness up front and it is always a blow to lose what you regard as a better player."
About Who Goes Next he said to The Chronicle
“I do not know whether I will lose any more players before West Brom. I’m working on a day to day basis and I really don’t know if more will go. Oba has gone and at this moment, irrespective of speculation, everybody else is still here and fit to play. Whether anybody else is going, I really don’t know.”
About Who Will Come In he said to The Chronicle
“There is no hint of bringing players in. Up until now we have been quite fortunate with injuries and have been able to maintain a decent squad.“At this moment there have been no discussions with myself and Derek about bringing in any players. If that changes I will be told, but it is not happening at the moment.”
About Who Will Come In he said to The Chronicle
"Tamas Kadar was a big positive at Dundee. He did very well in the type of game we played. Dundee were a good side and he coped well. I think sometimes it can be the making of young players to throw them in at the deep end, and I wouldn’t hesitate to throw him in at against West Brom. If Fabricio Coloccini had been fit and not carrying a minor knock, he would have played. Certainly Tamas has put himself in the reckoning for the first team for sure.”
Their Manager Said:
"I felt we had a great pre-season last year and then we were bottom of the league after five games so I'm not the best judge. I though it was a decent enough game, a worthwhile exercise. The result wasn't important but we would have hated to lose the game and I thought we were more than a match for them over 90 minutes. We are looking OK fitness wise. The quality of our passing has been significant and we've worked really hard in training. We look as if we are just about ready to start the season. I did play 4-4-2 all day but that's now striker No.6 on the treatment table."I didn't have any other strikers apart from Johnny Russell, who is just a kid, and I didn't want to play him against Newcastle. I was really pleased with Danny Cadamarteri and David Goodwillie in the first half. Danny is strong and will do a good job for us. He got a kick on the calf and couldn't quite shake it off. I didn't want it to develop into a strain."
Match Day Twitters From Dundee United
Kevin Nolan Said Afterwards
talking to nufcTV
"We were all in the dining room when the news popped up on television, and it was emotional to see the reaction of the lads who had worked under him, It was a sad, sad day. I'm a bit of an emotional guy myself, so it was hard. Sir Bobby was fantastic for football and fantastic for England. I think the fans celebrated his life because what a fantastic man he was and what a fantastic life he had. He would have been proud of that support."