Newcastle 3-4 Portland Timbers 2 – NUFC Match Ratings
7. Mehdi Abeid (Replaced By Vurnon Anita) - 4/10
Watching the game you didn't really realise Mehdi was there... Which is the most damning thing about his performance considering it was his first of this pre-season. The game passed the Algerian by as he failed to get his foot on the ball and set Newcastle away on numerous attacks. The bullishness which made him a hit during the first-half of last season wasn't there, which has to be worrying for the midfielder as that is just about all he can bring to the table... Links of a move away from the club are starting to intensify which could be affecting his form on the pitch. If he puts in too many more performances of this ilk, then he will be shown the door by Steve McClaren with no remorse.
Vurnon Anita - 4/10
Another player that failed to put his mark on the game when he came on. This was your standard display from Vurn... As you were.