Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce will have his first competitive game against his old club Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok stadium tomorrow.
Sam has brought in seven new players to the squad since he joined in mid-May and was interviewed by Newcastle World TV yesterday about the game.
When you look at Newcastle’s record over the last five years we’ve lost all five of our games so it’s not particularly a happy hunting ground for Newcastle.
Sam Allardcye – lost the last 5 games at the Reebok
When talking about the tactics Sam didn’t give much away although he has talked to the players about Bolton’s strengths and weaknesses – which he knows well – and he hopes the players have listened to him carefully.
Sam hopes to nullify Bolton’s strengths and exploit their weaknesses and while we don’t know what Sam’s team will be – we suspect a line-up something like the following:
Harper
Carr Taylor Rozehnal N’Zogbia
Solano Geremi (capt) Butt Milner
Viduka Smith
Subs: Given, Ramage, Martins, Ameobi, Dyer
Sam may play Martins for Smith. We go with the ex-Leeds strikers since they looked good together (and have played together quite a few times) against Sampdoria on Sunday. Until our new signing Jose Enrique is ready it looks like Sam will play young Charles N’Zogbia in the left-back spot. Charles can also move to midfield if any tactical changes are necessary through the game.
We’ve put Dyer in as substitute because he gives us many options but Sam may prefer not to risk Dyer. It’s good that he’s in the squad taken to Bolton though – because that shows his mind-set is OK after last Friday’s strange happenings with West Ham on his proposed transfer.
It also looks like Sam may have to bring in another goalkeeper in the near future unless Shay Given recovers quickly from his groin injury. Sam is taking no chances on Shay even though he probably could have played the game tomorrow. But that would be foolish and Sam wants players much fitter this season and hopes that will help as one aspect in reducing our injuries.
As far as injuries are concerned we still have 7 players out – but have thankfully been replaced by Reading at the top of the injury table – Reading now have 8 injuries and Chelsea have 6 just below us. Here’s the latest on our injuries – not a good start for us this season.
S Given Groin no return date A Luque Groin Strain no return date C Babayaro Groin no return date M Owen Thigh Strain 18th Aug 07 J Barton Broken Metatarsal 17th Sep 07 Emre Ankle no return date D Duff Ankle Surgery Nov 07
As far as the result goes a draw would be OK for Newcastle – but we’ll go for a 2-0 win – and if we can pull that off everybody at the club will be very happy.
Newcastle will not have a game in mid-week like most other clubs because our scheduled opponents, Arsenal, are taking part in the European Champions league. The next game is at home next Saturday evening against Aston Villa at 5:15. Hopefully by then we’ll already have 3 points on the board.
Comments welcome.
NUFC News 24/7
53 responses so far ↓
1 Bosck // Aug 10, 2007 at 10:04 AM
Don’t want to be pedantic but under the picture it shouldn’t really say “lost the last 5 games at the reebok” next to Sam Allardyce, yeah he’s our manager now but he wasnt when we lost those games, and in fact he won them all!!
2 Greg // Aug 10, 2007 at 10:05 AM
Bolton 1 Newcastle 2
Viduka and Milner grabbing the goals
3 Bill F // Aug 10, 2007 at 10:07 AM
Whilst not wanting to sound like a new age plonker, I do believe in the power of positive thought and visualistion. So I am going to think about a three nil win with Viduka getting a hat trick. Anydody want to join me?
4 Bill F // Aug 10, 2007 at 10:08 AM
Should read anybody
5 James // Aug 10, 2007 at 10:11 AM
Harper
Carr Taylor Rozehnal N’Zogbia
Solano Geremi (capt) Butt Milner
Viduka Smith
Im not happy with this team because they played in the sampdoria game like this and created nothing, it was only to smith dropped to cm with geremi then we started to play better. Id Like maybe to see smith drop and martins play off viduka or maybe dyer instead of Butt to start.
6 Len Smith // Aug 10, 2007 at 10:26 AM
James, you almost got the director of football job. Geremi & Smith midfield – yes. Viduka & Martins up front – yes. As an ex CB I can tell you I would have nightmares at the prospect of Viduka and Martins up front with Smith just behind them. Dyer – no thanks, unless its to kill time by running around aimlessly with the ball for final 2 minutes.
7 George // Aug 10, 2007 at 10:32 AM
With all this hype about Sam Allerdyce up against his old club and that Bolton will be giving it 150%. What a load of SUN, STAR EXPRESS,MAIL, ALAN OLIVER, JOHN GIBSON, they talk.
My brother was in Bolton yesterday fishing (for trout only), when he looked at a local paper, there are about 5 regular Bolton players missing through injury, there are all the new players that mighty mouth Sammy Lee has bought(like Phil Thompson he stabs people in the back aswell), who probably do not know who SA is and be wondering what the hype is about.
It seems to me that this game may be more in our favour than Boltons. We have more new players (on paper better players), the ones from last season were the ones who performed well for us. Where as Bolton seem to have lost good players and replaced with inferiority.
The only downside to all this is the fans. The genuine will give SA a good reception, the idiots will give the jeers. But SA is big enough to take it.
My prediction Bolton 1 – 2 NUFC Smith & Viduka.
8 P.collins // Aug 10, 2007 at 10:37 AM
Although Dyer may not be flavour of the month i still think he should be considered to play against Bolton as we are still paying his wages. For the first time since he joined NUFC he’s fit to start to start the season let’s put that to good use. I hope the fans don’t get on his back as this will acheive nothing he’s the one getting paid remember! .I’m not saying he does’nt deserve any stick but we want what’s best for the team and that’s to win.
9 steve // Aug 10, 2007 at 10:38 AM
any one no if its on in any of the bars?
ps i think it should be
Harper
Carr Taylor Rozehnal N’Zogbia
Solano Geremi (capt) Smith Milner
Viduka Martins
10 Tez // Aug 10, 2007 at 10:40 AM
We could play -
——————-Harper
Carr——-Taylor—–Rosehnal—–N’Zogbia
———————Butt
———-Geremi———Milner
Smith———————————Martins
———————Viduka
I think that midfield trio would be able to take the game from bolton and dictate play. Smith and martins can vary their play moving wide and also playin as a 2nd striker. It is a variation.
this is just a thought – i am still kind of leaning towards 4-4-2 tho …
Good thing is we have versitility, the team doesn’t pick itself and we have got a manager that actually knows about tactics (play to other teams weakness)
11 Tez // Aug 10, 2007 at 10:41 AM
Also in that formation Smith and Milner could swap positions ….
12 James // Aug 10, 2007 at 10:43 AM
I was thinking he had an incentive to play well because if he doesnt the toon army will chase him home from bolton. Looks like he is going to stay know so we might as well get used to it. Im not 2 worried bout the defence because they looked quite comfortable at the match and even Carr did an okay job and looked a bit fitter.Dont think Milner was very effective on the left so maybe give Enrique a start and then Zog to LM and Milner to RM and leave out Solano because Butt,Solano,Geremi would be a very very slow midfield.
13 Aussie geordie // Aug 10, 2007 at 10:43 AM
Harper
Carr Taylor, Rozey,
Charlie
Geremi
Solano Smith Milner
Viduka Martins
The good thing about having no back up keeper is that we have five outfield options on the bench
Chuck some of the new boys on in
the second half and torment them some more after Viduka has popped one or two through
14 Ian, Doha // Aug 10, 2007 at 10:54 AM
I see Martins starting the game in attack with Viduka. I think BSA will go for Huntington at LB because of his heght with N’Zogbia on left side of midfield.
My team for Bolton game as follows:
………………Harper
Carr…Taylor…Rozehnal…Huntington
Milner…Geremi(capt)…Butt…N’Zogbia
…………Viduka…Martins
Subs: Forster, Ramage, Smith, Ameobi, Solano
Smith may start in place of Butt or Martins, and don’t see Dyer getting on the subs bench as mentally he’s not ready after the WHU saga…
15 Cockney Magpie // Aug 10, 2007 at 10:56 AM
i don know about anybody else but i am absolutely over the moon that Dyer is stayin, he is stil a great talent and at 28 he has stil got time to improve on his consistentsy under BS, so come on all u dyer haters, he is stil one of us so lets give him all the support he needs and ake him feel wanted shal we?
16 Tez // Aug 10, 2007 at 10:58 AM
I can’t see Sam using Huntington as a left back again, after the Juventus game Huntington showed he is a CB and can be easily exposed as a FB.
17 Pete // Aug 10, 2007 at 11:07 AM
I hate to be pesimistic but you have to remember that this is an entirely new defence, it will take time to bond and get a certain level of understanding.
This will be a tough match, Bolton are never easy to beat and little sam has been groomed by big sam. I am really worried about this match and would be delighted with a draw, same with Arsenal next week.
Looking at our fixtures we don’t have an easy start or finish to the season.
P.S. I am a little concerned about how excited I am about tomorrow – I didn’t realised that I would miss football this much (No world cup/euro summer, getting a new chairman/manager)
18 SS // Aug 10, 2007 at 11:14 AM
This is going to be an interesting test of BSA as a manager on Saturday.
He knows the majority of the BW squad as well as their current manager does and arguably better than he knows his own players. With Sammy Lee being his assistant for a couple of years, he should also be able to anticipate how Sammy will play the game. There is no excuse for being out manouvered in this game. Tactically we should have the measure of them.
It will come down to a test of how he can get his players to perform for him : how he prepares them and how he motivates them. If he is the manager we think he is, he will do that extremely well, and we have a good chance.
The premiership is going to be really tight this year , apart from a couple of clubs at either end of the table. Most teams have significantly strengthened their squad with talent and numbers. Bolton are no mugs so predictions of 3 or 4 nil, I think are wide of the mark. We have to be realistic
I will be disappointed not to win, but there will only be a goal in it.
19 Tez // Aug 10, 2007 at 11:16 AM
Pete – its unlikely it will be a new defence – most likely Rosehnal will be the only new defender to start bolton game. And he has had a fully preseason and looked very solid beside Taylor. My concern is that if we have N’Zogbia (strong but small) and Carr (very small) we might have problems down the wings. Also we are back to the problem with being weak at set pieces due to lack of height in the back 4.
What does everyone think?
20 Jon Armann // Aug 10, 2007 at 11:25 AM
…………..harper…………
carr…..Rozenhal…Taylor….ZOG
Solano…Geremi(cpt)…Smith…Milner
Viduka….Martins
subs. Forster, Ameobi, butt, Rammy, dyer
Bolton 1
Newcastle 3 Martins, smith and milner
im looking forward to saturday!!!
21 nightfall // Aug 10, 2007 at 11:51 AM
dyer must play…if he wants to leave/if he wants west ham to make another bid for him he’ll have to really impress them…so i think he’ll do anything on the pitch…we might just see the best of him…this month
after august…who knows…
22 Dingo // Aug 10, 2007 at 11:52 AM
ALBERT LUQUE is looking to escape from Newcastle and is set to join either Levante or Feyenoord.
The Spain international has been given a second chance to shine on Tyneside in pre-season by Sam Allardyce but said: “I desire to leave England.”
The winger has been looking for a loan move this week and Feyenoord are vying with Levante to end his misery.
This came from the mirror…. dont know whether to trust it or not. I am concerned because he was going to help “el Toro” – Enrique to settle in. I was really looking forward to seeing him blossom under BSA this season. I think, if this story has legs, that he may be jumping ship at the wrong time….. any thoughts?
23 nightfall // Aug 10, 2007 at 11:55 AM
about luque wanting to leave…i guess that’s true… with smith on board, he probably won’t get as many chances with us as he should have… tough call between those two… smith can be the motor of our squad (as long as he doesn’t start being arrogat…again), but luque is the most talented player we’ve got…
as for diop…don’t think buying him is the most smart thing to do…another midfielder who’ll be gone during ANC…we’ll already be without geremi…
24 Bosck // Aug 10, 2007 at 12:09 PM
I don’t think i have ever seen the mirror print a transfer rumour that has been correct, and they are one of the main protagonists for trying to print negative stories about Newcastle.
I’m pretty sure about 2 days ago Luque was saying he was pleased to have another spaniard at the club and wanted to help him settle in so why would he then want to leave a day later??
25 rich // Aug 10, 2007 at 12:10 PM
why is everyone playing Smith upfront ahead of Martins? that is CRAYZEE TALK.
if anything Smith will be attacking mid with Martins up front.
We cannot afford to leave Martins on the bench.
26 rich // Aug 10, 2007 at 12:11 PM
on anther note i thought it was kind of ironic when sam said that ‘WE’ have lost 5 games on the tro at Bolton, he won those 5 games too!!!
surreal.
27 Ed Harrison // Aug 10, 2007 at 12:32 PM
rich – yes I noted that too – it was 5 wins for him – ironic
28 Ryan // Aug 10, 2007 at 12:33 PM
Yesterday Big Sam said that it was between Owen and Martins to fight for a place in the side. Now, judging by that comment and with Owen injured what makes you think Martins will sit on the bench tomorrow? Martins must start, he has been in good form and i can see him and Viduka forming a good partnership. Smith can take Butt’s place with Geremi playing a holding role. That has to be out best available side for the trip to the Reebok.
29 Ryan // Aug 10, 2007 at 12:34 PM
@rich- agreed!
30 Dingo // Aug 10, 2007 at 12:40 PM
Ok guys i am looking for some information regarding tomorrows match… if you can all help it would be great.
(1) As i understand it the TV rights have changed this year…. if this this is the case ART (the Arabic channel) will not be showing the newcastle matches… is this true?
(2) BT vision I have heard will play every prem game 2 hrs after it has been shown… is this true?
(3) I have been looking at this site http://liveonsat.com/foot_english_all.php?start_dd=10&start_mm=08&start_yyyy=2007&end_dd=23&end_mm=09&end_yyyy=2007
If you look at the list there are many sat providers showing the toon match tomorrow… anybody in the NE know where it is definatly being shown?
any help would be greatfully appreciated.
31 evil dick // Aug 10, 2007 at 12:41 PM
just found out that foxsports (in australia), will be letting digital viewers decide which match they watch live in premiership! so I’ll get to watch the bolton game, get in!
32 Phil // Aug 10, 2007 at 12:48 PM
This would be the team I would start although I dont think he will drop Carr(who has looke ok but slow. the pace of the prem will show him up I think)
……………………..……Harper…………………………..
..Geremi(capt…Taylor…Rozehnal…N’Zogbia…..
…Solano………Smith…….…Butt…….…Milner……
………….…………Viduka….…Martins………………..
33 Tom_Toon // Aug 10, 2007 at 12:49 PM
Any idwas about what goalkeeper to buy? Stekelenburg would be my choice, a cheap-ish option.
34 Ed Harrison // Aug 10, 2007 at 12:59 PM
Ryan – that would be interesting – playing Smith in midfield – I don’t know – Sam may even start Martins – he will play at least 45 mins whether he starts or not. I just think Sam will find a starting place for Smith somewhere.
35 Callum // Aug 10, 2007 at 1:10 PM
I would pick the same team as Ed but swap Viduka for Martins as Viduka isnt quite match fit yet i dont think whereas Martins has taken part in all our pre-season games.
Im going for a 3-1 win for Newcastle with Martins scoring 2 and Geremi scoring from a free kick or long range effort but i think keeping a clean sheet away at Bolton will be tough hence why i say 3-1
36 Callum // Aug 10, 2007 at 1:12 PM
Oh also, i saw the team on BBC earlier and it looks like Harper is the only goalkeeper in the team to face Bolton, I just hope he doesnt get injured else it could end up 4-3 or something.
37 AndyW // Aug 10, 2007 at 1:14 PM
Phil, I agree with your team. I know Geremi has looked great in midfiled but my gut feeling is that Sam brought him in for right back primarily. Smith behind Viduka and Martins looks like a powerful front and Milner and Nobby will give good cover to the full backs.
I still think Butt could captain because of his example but i understand he’s a bit quiet so Geremi it is. The honour will probably get even more out of him.
As for Luque, shame if its true but if it is and that’s the level of his commitment, lets get his wages of the books and someone in who wants to be here while the window is still open. Gudjonsen maybe???
38 doby the mag // Aug 10, 2007 at 2:08 PM
Pete – We’re not playing Arsenal next week.
39 George // Aug 10, 2007 at 2:21 PM
Steve asked if game waas on anywhere. Simple answer NO.
The arab channel can no longer braodcast live premiership games, so the only 2 places to see live premiership football is Setanta and Sky Sports. Although i am sure ED can tell you ways of seeing the game live other than those two channels. Over to you ED
40 sean // Aug 10, 2007 at 2:26 PM
im goin 2 the match 2
morrow and am sooo excited
41 sean // Aug 10, 2007 at 2:29 PM
i rekon
harper
carr taylor cacapa enrique
millner geremi(cap) smith zog
martins viduka
42 sean // Aug 10, 2007 at 2:32 PM
mayb rozy will start 4 cacapa and swich at half time
43 AB // Aug 10, 2007 at 3:00 PM
BTVision is any match in full from 10:00pm. Setanta and Sky are the only UK broadcasters showing live matches (you can get setanta through BTVision though). Someone said Setanta in Yankland was showing the match so lucky you if you’re American.
2-1 sounds a nice result to me. Martins will start, Carr RB, thats how the past few pre-season games went so I don’t see why BSA’d change it all of a sudden.
44 AB // Aug 10, 2007 at 3:02 PM
@sean: You are in fact mental. BSA has said that Enrique won’t start and Cacapa hasn’t played a minute yet, whereas Rozy has played almost all the pre-season games. Other than that, looks good
45 sean // Aug 10, 2007 at 3:13 PM
fi9 not cacapa but i still think enrique will start im goin to the game so ill see wat happens
harper
carr taylor rozy ENRIQUE
millner geremi smith (mayb butt) zog
oba viduka
46 ashingtongeordie // Aug 10, 2007 at 3:47 PM
I think BSA will go with the 4-4-2 tomorrow
…………………Harper……………………
Carr…Taylor…Rozenthal…N Zogbia
Solano…..Geremi…..Smith…..Milner
…………..Martins…Viduka…………….
Subs: Cacapa, Enrique, Butt, Solano and Ameobi
I predict the mighty toon 2 win 2-0 goals from Viduka and Smith
47 rich // Aug 10, 2007 at 4:43 PM
…………………Harper……………………
Carr…Taylor…Rozenthal…N Zogbia
Solano…..Geremi…..Smith…..Milner
…………..Martins…Viduka…………….
i have been saying this lineup for ages now, i am 95% sure this is what Sam will go for as he can change it to a 4-3-3 with smith pushing up.
anyone want to bet that Martins will NOT be on the bench?? im not really a betting man, but again im positive Smith will be used in attacking midfield and Martins upfront!
48 Ed Harrison // Aug 10, 2007 at 4:54 PM
Dingo – just put up my own thoughts on this story on Luque – take a look – it’s a decision Sam and Mort have to make – it’s not clear cut.
http://nufcblog.com/newcastle-may-be-willing-to-let-luque-go/
49 Ed Harrison // Aug 10, 2007 at 4:56 PM
rich – you are probably right he may just start Smith on the bench – because he can use him in lots of positions – but have Viduka and Martins played together yet? BTW – I would be happy with Carroll and Martins who looked very good together in pre-season but guess we have more experienced players than Andrew.
50 Ed Harrison // Aug 10, 2007 at 5:38 PM
George – I’ve looked at all the TV schedules I can get for the UK – and it looks like the Newcastle game in England is not on Sky or Setanta Sports.
For the USA viewers the Newcastle game is on live at 10:00 am EDT and it follows the Sunderland Spurs game which is also live around 7:45 am EDT.
Next Saturday night’s first home game against Aston Villa is live on Setanta Sports in England.
I’ll see if I can put a little half-time update – just to let you know how we are doing since the game is not live in UK – and will ensure the full report covers the game fully – and will get it out asap after game finishes..
51 rich // Aug 10, 2007 at 6:30 PM
Ed i can see where your coming from, but i think Smith will either start in midfield 4-4-2 or up front in a 4-3-3, i also think Martins and Viduka will be both on.
I think we have good cover with Shola & Luque on the bench.
and regarding NUFC vs Bolton Game on TV… you just need to find a pub in your city that screens arabic football channels.
My local shows the games live and i think it has The Toon game on tommorow, it usually shows two EPL games at once at 3pm sat but with the commentary turned offas its in Arabic.
and lastly, if the game is live in the US then download yourself a P2P video service like ppLive or something, it streams again, foreign channels worldwide.
Its all becasue the FA think we are mugs and they make us wait until 10pm to watch any of the saturday football (apart from 1 match at 12pm) so they can charge a fortune for the BBC to have exclusive rights to show it on MOTD, also why Sky SPorts cant show highlights until BBC are done with them its criminal!
52 Ed Harrison // Aug 10, 2007 at 6:39 PM
Rich – i looked around and it seems http://www.nufc.com has all the TV schedules around the world for the game. Assume they provide this service for every game.
53 rich // Aug 10, 2007 at 6:42 PM
Your right Ed, and with P2P video software thats free im pretty sure youll be able to get some of these channels:
C+ Sport (France)
C+ Sport 2 (Scandinavia)
Eurosport 2 (Hungary)
Premiere Sport Portal
Prima TV (Cz)
Show Sports 1 & 2
Setanta Sports Ireland
Sky Calcio 2
Supersport 5 SA
Setanta Sports USA
Rogers Sportsnet PPV (Canada)
Fox Sports (Australia)
Sky Sports 2 (New Zealand)
but failing that its onf Talk Sport!
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