Anything out of tomorrow’s game at Manchester United, which has a 5:15 pm KO will be a decent result for a Newcastle side without a manager.
Nigel Pearson will be in charge of the team at Old Trafford tomorrow, just like he was at Watford in the last game of last season, after Newcastle had just dismissed Glenn Roeder.
As far as our injuries are concerned Newcastle United look to be OK, although Ameobi (knee), Milner (virus) and Emre (knee) are all slight doubts, but the late news is they should all be available. Stephen Carr, who played for the Reserves last Tuesday evening when they were beaten 3-1 by Sunderland, will be available.
African Cup of Nations players Abdoulaye Faye, Habib Beye and Geremi will obviously not be available, and we don’t know whether Oba Martins will return for the 5:15 pm kick off. He already reported to the Nigerian squad, and it seems a bit pointless to play him. Late news is that Martins will not be released by the Nigerian squad.
Rozhenal, Viduka and Enrique limbering up this morning
Of course Joey Barton is still not available as he is in rehabilitation nd awaiting his next court appearance next Wednesday morning in Liverpool. Peter Ramage is still recovering form his ACL knee injury.
Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed it’s unlikely that Owen Hargreaves, struggling with a rib injury, will be risked but Saha will probably be OK and will have a fitness test just before the game.
Gary Neville, who’s been out most of the season, felt his hamstring on Wednesday and was substituted at half-time as Manchester United Reserves earned a 2-2 draw at Everton. Gary will not feature tomorrow. Tevez has had a sore ankle recently but is expected to be fit. Paul Scholes and Silvestre are still out with longer term injuries.
Nigel Pearson – former England Under-21 coach in charge tomorrow
We’re not sure which team Pearson will pick but we think it will either be 4-42 or even 4-5-1 but it’s hard top play anything other than 4-4-2 with Michael Owen in the team.
This is the team we expect Pearson to play:
Given
Rozehnal Taylor Cacapa Enrique
Duff Butt Emre N’Zogbia
Viduka Owen
Subs: Harper Carr Milner Carroll Smith
We could have Smith in place of Emre, but we’re put Emre in because he has class, and deserves a chance of a start. It could also be that Carr could replace David Rozehnal, who had a couple of uncertain moments against Stoke City last Sunday at right back. We have the big FA Cup replay with Stoke City on Wednesday, so we’ll need to use our squad to maximum effect over the next 3 games.
What do you think our team should be?
Let us know – comments always welcome.
71 comments so far
KevinHann
Jan 11, 2008 at 8:28 PM
Comment #41It shouldn’t be Alan. I actually think it will be worse decision than hiring Harry, even with all the fuss about the big money contract. The risk is too massive. And Mort quite logically turned that down (in a way that has nothing to do with casting a dim wall…)
Davey G
Jan 11, 2008 at 8:30 PM
Comment #42Not redknapp not shearer, for f*** sake, get us mourinho!!!
Thats what the VAST majority of us want!!!!
Tom_Toon
Jan 11, 2008 at 8:32 PM
Comment #43only 3 sites are still taking bets?
cooldj
Jan 11, 2008 at 8:32 PM
Comment #44Mouriniho – more people want him than shearer. if they try and fail then fair enough but at least give it a go. You never know and what’s to lose.?
The potential benefits far outweigh any cost you can think of.
James
Jan 11, 2008 at 8:33 PM
Comment #45Davey G – The manager who would make us play the best football is Hitzfield.
The manager who would win us the most trophies is Mourinho
The manager who would be sacked by next year is Harry Redknapp.
Shearer's the man
Jan 11, 2008 at 8:34 PM
Comment #46KevinHann.
Was that the same Mort who backed Sam the day before he was sacked?
carl
Jan 11, 2008 at 8:35 PM
Comment #47tom toon whick sites are they? the main ones seem to have suspended it?
cooldj
Jan 11, 2008 at 8:36 PM
Comment #48SING FOR MOURINIHO AT OLD TRAFFORD
ASHLEY WILL GET THE PICTURE
SING FOR MOURINIHO
SING FOR MOURINIHO!!!!!
cooldj
Jan 11, 2008 at 8:38 PM
Comment #49BRING US MOURINIO BRING US MOURINIHO.
ok it would be embarrising if someone else has already been appointed but it’s just as embarrising if we don’t go for jose.
The black in the blacknwhite
Jan 11, 2008 at 8:42 PM
Comment #50is it wenger the man who scathed Big sam and his football
ovbviously he understands why sam was sacked and cant be surprised- alot of managers put on a show in public or to the media
carl
Jan 11, 2008 at 8:44 PM
Comment #51well something going on as i cant find a single site which is taking bets for the toon job? maybe they are having a rethink as they hav not got a clue
James
Jan 11, 2008 at 8:46 PM
Comment #52Carl – I placed my bet with Coral, and they have removed all bets for the manager now. Bookies don’t remove bets unless they know something.
GM
Jan 11, 2008 at 8:47 PM
Comment #53Sky Sports now running banner saying “close friends of shearer say he would take toon job if formally appraoched”
Skysports must have splinters so far up their arsehole coz they are jumping from one side of the fence to the other ever half hour
Tom_Toon
Jan 11, 2008 at 8:47 PM
Comment #54only 1 site left taking bets.
carl
Jan 11, 2008 at 8:47 PM
Comment #55agree, will be interesting to see what happens, or it could be new info theyve got, i hope a new favourite pops up?
Tom_Toon
Jan 11, 2008 at 8:47 PM
Comment #56betfair still taking.
James
Jan 11, 2008 at 8:49 PM
Comment #57Shearer is probably saying this because he knows Redknapp is all wrong for Newcastle and he’d rather take the plunge himself than let that sour faced crook ruin his club.
Shearer's the man
Jan 11, 2008 at 8:51 PM
Comment #58GM – Shearer will be announced Monday.
The close friends thing is just part of the announcement process. Next thing you know, Mort says ‘oh well – I guess I’ll talk to him then, I never would have thought of that!’.
cooldj
Jan 11, 2008 at 8:53 PM
Comment #59Redknapp has surely been offered the job. Surely?
How can there be so much speculation with out an ounce of truth. Something other than bullsh*t is fuelling these rumours. The press, Setanta, websites, bookies and ssn – ok not SSNbut the others have links and have inside men, particularly the bookies! and links. They aren’t clueless and with so much speculation you can be sure there’s something there.
I for one hope it aint Harry but the lack of websites taking bets is an indication that they KNOW a decision has been made and don’t want any ‘insiders’ making a tidy profit and driving a potential outsider into favourite. If it isn’t Harry the only person laughing louder than me will be the bookies.
GM
Jan 11, 2008 at 8:56 PM
Comment #60aye maybe James – But is it just words said by shearer just too late to be of any real effect on the new managers role but said to highlight that he is still around. This way he can say that he did want the job but was overlooked, casting yet another shadow over the next incumbant in the hot seat
I am not a shearer supporter in terms of the next manager, but at the moment I think I would prefer him to ‘arry or is it the vast amounts of alcohol I have had to consume this eveneing to try and get through this whole situation.
Sorry if none of this makes sense…i’m batterd, beaten n I just want an end to all of this. I know for sure I cant wait till next week
KevinHann
Jan 11, 2008 at 8:57 PM
Comment #61Shearer’s Man – can you read football? Backing your manager officially is the last step before firing him. The more often you go out and support him in the media, the bigger the pressure.
James
Jan 11, 2008 at 9:00 PM
Comment #62GM – I’d prefer Titus Bramble as player manager before paying Harry The Crook a penny to take over as Manager.
It is a step backwards and makes us a laughing stock and unambitious to everyone else. He will be backed by the board but not by the fans.
I believe there will be a lot of manager songs at the Old Trafford game tomorrow.
cooldj
Jan 11, 2008 at 9:02 PM
Comment #63PLEASE SIR I WANT SOME MOUR hehehe
Tom_Toon
Jan 11, 2008 at 9:05 PM
Comment #64Come on MA, you van do it 🙂
Shearer's the man
Jan 11, 2008 at 9:05 PM
Comment #65Sorry KevinHamm I thought you were saying Mort turned down the Shearer option therefore it wouldn’t happen. My apology if I read you wrong.
Shearer's the man
Jan 11, 2008 at 9:06 PM
Comment #66Will it be Shearer & Venables or Venables & Shearer?
Eve
Jan 11, 2008 at 10:25 PM
Comment #67Am I the only one who think Pearson would make a good one. Well I like him, I don’t know why, he just I don’t know, I just like him. Maybe we should wait a wee bit and see how he does.
Shearer’s the Man….Venables, I don’t know. I’m sure he’s favorite to get the Irish job.
Marguerite
Jan 11, 2008 at 11:22 PM
Comment #68TO ALL THOSE GOING TO OLD TRAFFORD, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE CAN YOU ALL SING TO FERGIE TO SHUT THE F**** UP KEEP COMMENTING ABOUT OUR TEAM AND OUR FANS. HE IS WINDING ME UP BIG TIME.
I AM NOT A VIOLENT PERSON BUT I WOULD PERSONALLY LIKE TO GIVE HIS UGLY FACE A SOUND BEATING.
AS TO OUR NEW MANAGER I KEEP HOPING IT WILL BE HIDDINCK BUT THINK IT IS MORE LIKELY TO BE ‘ARRY, UNLESS MIKE IS PLAYING A CRAFTY ONE, AS HE DID WITH THE SACKING OF SAM.
Shearer's the man
Jan 11, 2008 at 11:22 PM
Comment #69That was before Shearer gave him a ring 🙂
phoonCK
Jan 12, 2008 at 8:09 AM
Comment #70i dont know if anyone knew this, or has it been talked about before.. sorry if i’m wrong or repeating, but i thought Harry Redknapp just signed a new 4 year contract in Oct 2007?
report:
Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has signed a new four-year contract at Fratton Park.
Redknapp said: “Since returning to Fratton Park I have had nothing but the utmost support from the owner Sacha Gaydamak and chief executive Peter Storrie.
“The club is moving in the right direction. It’s a great place to be and I can only see that getting better.”
Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie added: “Obviously it’s a great coup for us to have one of the best managers in the business pledging his long-term future to the club.
“Harry has done a great job, first rescuing the club from the jaws of relegation and then building a team now strong enough to challenge for a European place.”
rlw
Jan 12, 2008 at 2:22 PM
Comment #71Harper
Enrique Cacapa Roznahdal Carr
Duff Butt Emrie Milner
Viduka Owen