except CMHO that the Newcastle defense is shyte:]] :]] :]] Roeder blames defence for defeat Glenn Roeder Roeder was not happy with the way his side performed Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder launched an attack on his defenders after the club's Uefa Cup exit on away goals to Dutch side AZ Alkmaar. The Magpies held a 4-2 first leg lead but saw that overturned all too easily as AZ Alkmaar won 2-0 in the return. "They are not good goals we conceded," he said. "Too often crosses come into our box, they are not defended properly and bad decisions are made. "I have to find defenders who are good enough to play in front of Shay Given." AZ Alkmaar took the lead when a low cross was not cut out by Steven Taylor and was converted by Shota Arveladze. We did not have enough players who came out and performed, which was a surprise and unexpected Glenn Roeder Their second came when Danny Koevermans lost his marker Titus Bramble and nodded home. Roeder added: "Shay Given is a is a top drawer keeper but he does not get the protection he should get. He is exposed far too easily. "Too many defenders make too many mistakes that cost us points. "They do well, you are happy with them and you think they have learnt. Then 'bang' they go and make the same mistake again and let you down." Roeder also believes too many of his players failed to turn up as they tamely surrendered to the dominant Dutch opponents. "We did not have enough players who came out and performed, which was a surprise and unexpected," he said. AZ Alkmaar coach Louis van Gaal changed his tactics after the first leg and praised the attitude of his side in completing the comeback. "I have to give my players a compliment for this massive performance," he said. "It is tough mentally when you are trailing 4-2, we have proved before we can do it." Van Gaal added: "In the first game, we left Nolberto Solano in a free role and he took advantage of that fact. "Tonight, we played with Julian Jenner and Maarten Martens in wide positions and therefore Scott Parker and Nicky Butt were swimming."
What, like they did in Steve Harper's 18 appearances this season - during Shay's two spells injured? Hmm...don't think so matey...!
