Newcastle vs Man Utd

Virtuoso

Last academy match of the season:

------------------Amos-------------------

Derbyshire-----James------C.Evans-----Gill

Curran---Drinkwater---Norwood---Galbraith

--------------Brandao---------------------

------------------Macheda----------------

Subs: Brown, Stewart, Dudgeon

MUTV got the side wrong so this is as much as I can make out. Newcastle have a few reserve players starting (e.g Lua Lua, Godsmark, Danquah) and Fabio Zamblera (Italian youth international striker) starting too.

Virtuoso

End to end stuff so far, Newcastle started off the better with our centre back partnership showing that they're not actually defenders. Amos looking very uncertain dealing with crosses too. Drinkwater's had a couple of decent efforts on target so far too. Good match as yet.

Virtuoso

Newcastle 0-0 Manchester United (HT)

Very tame finish to the half, really very few chances towards the end and all the excitement was in the first part of the half. Macheda and Brandao have had very, very little supply and neither has had a shot at goal yet. Our best move came at the end of the half with the two strikers combining and Curran finishing but he strayed just offside.

Hope both sides just go for it now, last game of the season with very little riding on it so why not throw everything at it.

Virtuoso

Stewart on for Brandao at the beginning of the second half.

Virtuoso

Newcastle 1-0 Manchester United:

Zamblera 60'

Goal from a corner, poorly defended in truth.

Brown on for Norwood and Dudgeon on for Galbraith.

Virtuoso

We're piling on the pressure and they're looking shakey at the back now, Macheda's getting involved more too.

Virtuoso

Newcastle 1-1 Manchester United:

Stewart 83'

One of the best finishes I've seen all season in the Academy, a screamer from twenty yards - perfectly into the far top corner. What a goal Cameron Stewart!

PS18

well in Cam \O/

Virtuoso

Newcastle 1-1 Manchester United (FT)

Fair result, exciting start and finish to the match with a lot of tentitive play in the middle. Defending was not so impressive; encapsulated with their goal where they managed to flick it on at the near post and a tap in for Zamblera. Also, with Matt James moving into midfield our possession keeping improved and he rattled the cross bar with an effort from 35-40 yards.

Our attacking play progressively improved as the match went on with Macheda at the forefront of it - bringing players into the game. Rounded off nicely with a great goal from Cameron Stewart. A nice way to finish what has been an inconsistent season.

Elliott

Virtuoso, you're a gem. A few questions:
1. What position did Stewart play and how was his overall performance?
2. How was Macheda's work rate? Was he as classy as usual?

RedPhil1957

Stewart played mainly LW

Macheda did not have the greatest service but on the ball he showed both his qualities and failings with class play often followed by sloppy pass

Virtuoso

Yep, Stewart played left wing and looked very dangerous cutting in onto his right foot. Played well; just turned 17 but has a lot of pace, trickery and a decent end product too...perhaps at times doesn't make the best decisions but that should come in time.

Redphil1957's pretty much right about Macheda, though the sloppy passes were partly due to the disappointing support he was offered by the midfield and the non-existent Brandao didn't do much to help. His work rate was decent, improved in the second half.

samabachan

I've only ever seen Stewart play RB but heard he played RW too. Where would you say his best position is though Virtuoso/anyone who watches the U18s?

Chris H

Thanks for another great report Virtuoso.

Virtuoso

Really tough to say, he's a decent enough defender to play either full back position and overlap the winger who he's playing behind. Though for me, down either wing is his best position. I've seen him do very well down the right wing, playing crosses in which he still needs to work on to be fair. Seeing him play left wing yesterday, he looked like a revelation! Cutting inside, floating in behind Macheda and his turn of pace completely overpowered the the opposing full back - his strike for the goal was surprising too.

Next season in the Academy (and possibly Reserves too) will really define where the coaching staff feel he is best suited, he's very versatile which is a good attribute though a settled position would perhaps benefit in focusing and honing his talent.

samabachan

Cheers.