Mark Viduka is finally set to return to the Newcastle United squad for Monday’s vital game at Birmingham City.
Mark Viduka - expected to be fit for Monday
The 32-year-old Aussie last started for the club way back in the 4-1 FA Cup victory over Stoke City back on January 16th, which is the last time Newcastle won a game.
That was also the day Kevin Keegan was appointed manager at the club for the second time.
Since that time Mark has appeared for us just once, as a substitute in the 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough last month.
Not too many games for the 6’2†striker, who seems more and more injury prone the older he gets. But last season Mark scored a lot of goals for Middlesbrough in the latter half of the season, and we badly need someone in the team who can put the ball in the net.
Mark can become an instant hero on Monday night, if he can put that ball in the net a couple of times for us.
Kevin Keegan was asked whether Mark would be fit for Monday, and this is what he said:
“Mark is on course to put himself up for selection,”
“What we have had to do is build him up because he has not played for a while but he’s doing well at the moment day after day for him to recuperate.â€
“He had a hard day on Wednesday and we’ll have to wait and see, but hopefully yes.”
If Mark is fit we expect him to take up a substitute spot, to the exclusion of young Andrew Carroll.
Comments welcome.
28 responses so far ↓
1 ELFER // Mar 13, 2008 at 11:08
Well, why not take LuaLua again in the squad as right winger? We have GEREMI as backup if it doesn’t work out…here’s my squad:
——MARTINS—-OWEN
DUFF————————-LUALUA
———BARTON—BUTT
ENRIQUE–FAYE–DIATTA–BEYE
—————HARPER
2 James // Mar 13, 2008 at 11:11
Elfer - Butt and Smith will not be dropped. As frustrating as that is for all of us, it is a simple fact under KK.
If he did drop them it would be like watching a new team, and I’d actually have hope that we can win a game.
3 Hadji // Mar 13, 2008 at 11:19
My team against Birmingham
………………….Harper……………………………
Beye……………Faye……..Cacapa…………..Enrique
………………………Geremi……………………………..
Troisi………………Barton…………………..Duff
………………..Owen……………Martins………….
4 Bjergvehn // Mar 13, 2008 at 11:21
My team for monday game would be;
Harper
Baye, Faye, Taylor, Enrique
Geremi, Butt, N’Zog, Duff
Martins, Owen
Problem with the right wing in the absence of Milner. But I think Geremi should be able to do the job. If not, than swap him with either Duffer or N’Zog.
Bench.: Forster, Viduka, Barton, Cacapa, Lualua
5 Leo // Mar 13, 2008 at 11:21
i thought the title read:—-
viduka working hard to be thin for monday
haha he will take longer than a couple days to be thin, but we do need a player that can put the ball in the net, if only it was to exclude smith from the startinglineup
6 Stami // Mar 13, 2008 at 11:21
i really really really want Carroll to play! he will score, and become an instant Newcastle Hero!!! could be the player that scrapes us back into the EPL for next season!!! leave fatty on the coach with a Happy meal, he will be fine…
7 Stami // Mar 13, 2008 at 11:23
LET CARROLL PLAY - LET CARROLL PLAY - LET CARROLL PLAY - LET CARROLL PLAY - LET CARROLL PLAY - LET CARROLL PLAY - LET CARROLL PLAY - LET CARROLL PLAY - LET CARROLL PLAY - LET CARROLL PLAY - LET CARROLL PLAY - LET CARROLL PLAY - LET CARROLL PLAY - LET CARROLL PLAY - LET CARROLL PLAY - LET CARROLL PLAY - LET CARROLL PLAY - LET CARROLL PLAY
8 James // Mar 13, 2008 at 11:31
I’d be very surprised if this is not the team KK picks
Harper
Beye Taylor Faye NZogbia
Smith Barton Butt Duff
Owen Martins
But i sop hope I’m wrong
9 Leo // Mar 13, 2008 at 11:35
RE: the article by paul dickson, see top of page….
i think a song that should be played at the start of the game should be… Forget about tommorrow by Feeder
listen to the song and you will understand why…
although i think we need to have local hero playing before the game
10 James // Mar 13, 2008 at 11:39
Hopefully KK like the fans wants to attack Birmingham with :
…………………….Harper…………………
…………Diatta….Taylor…..Enrique….
Beye….Lua Lua….Faye…Emre……Duff
…………………….Nzogbia………………….
……………………….Martins……………….
11 Rich // Mar 13, 2008 at 11:39
James i think that will be the team also but i think Barton will play Right mid and Smith central midfield!What a creative central midfield eh Butt and Smith?? i hate to think about it
12 Hadji // Mar 13, 2008 at 12:26
If i was Alan Smith i would be ashamed to show myself up on the pitch.
13 Football Betting King // Mar 13, 2008 at 12:46
Seems like the likely team James.
i wouldn’t read too much into the fact that the last time Viduka played was the last time we won, but it would still be good to have him back in the squad. Hopefully we can get an early goal or two under our belts (where it’s coming from i have no idea), and we can ease him back in in the latter stages.
If he’s coming on and we’re chasing the game - i can’t see him doing anything. he’ll be too far off the pace!
Win this game and our relegation fears will be majorly eased!
14 Midjew // Mar 13, 2008 at 13:07
Did anyone see this?
http://www.4thegame.com/club/newcastle-united-fc/news/215819/Thierry+Henry+to+quit+Barcelona/
15 Ian // Mar 13, 2008 at 13:25
If Martins is on the bench and Viduka played, that wouldnt be good, it would be good to see Lua Lua started on the wing, he is as good as any first team player we have.
16 Mick G // Mar 13, 2008 at 14:16
Viduka- Working hard &fit all in the same sentance,it’s about as believable as seeing Sunderland-nice and place in the same sentance
17 OzZyMagpiE // Mar 13, 2008 at 14:23
Haha i hate to say this but my gut feeling says Smith will score an all vital goal n be hailed by the management( n da owner) Juz hate the way our team is playin right now. my team:
………..Harper…………..
Enrique..Faye..Beye..Geremi
Duff……Zoggy..Smith/Barton/Butt..Lua Lua
Martins…Owen
beye n faye are jus abt the only good central defenders right now… can’t stand ‘local’ boy steven taylor or any other fruitcake(cacapa)
Worst case scenario : all 3 of the fggts start - barton, butt & smith .. They shud start neways as they r the only ones capable of playing great Samba jaw dropping entertainment football!…….NOT
18 Marty // Mar 13, 2008 at 14:39
Midjew!!
Must say that would be nice but maybe he is also gettin on a bit n soon a has been?i don`t know but KK would probably put him in CM so that smith could play up front,lol
19 Midjew // Mar 13, 2008 at 15:50
Henry would be amazing, never mind his age, he has such a good mind and brain.
Him and owen or marting up front would be BRILLIANT.
I would prefer Henry Martins youth and expereince
20 Ian // Mar 13, 2008 at 16:24
Henry was a joke when he was talking to a young lad on the radio.
21 CRAIGG // Mar 13, 2008 at 19:46
I think we will be pleasantly suprised with the team selection for Brum as Barton and Martins are ready to play and Geremi wasnt that bad on saturday.
This wil be KKs side:
Harper
Beye Taylor Faye Enrique
Geremi Barton N’Zogbia Duff
Owen Martins
Subs: Forster, Cacapa, Butt, Smith, Viduka
I think like ive been saying for weeks now Oba must not have been 100% as KK would never pick a CF that doesnt score, create or win headers and hold up the ball. In a dreamland we would have LuaLua on the bench instead of Smith but beggars cant be choosers!
Looking beyond this game Taylor as much as i love the lad should get a nice long rest so we can try this Diatta bloke when he is fit and please if theres an injury to either full back, Ramage has to get a chance and not Carr.
Even if we dont get anything out of this one we will get enough points in the Fulham, Reading, Sunderland and West Ham games to stay up.
( I HOPE )
HOWAY THE LADS AND LONG LIVE THE KING
22 daiv // Mar 13, 2008 at 20:43
Lets all get behind Smudger and he may score a goal.
23 CRAIGG // Mar 13, 2008 at 20:51
Daiv are you joking ??
One positive thing about Smith is the partnership with Viduka at Leeds was very good they scored a lot together and had a good understanding maybe worth a try if results dont pick up.
24 CRAIGG // Mar 13, 2008 at 20:52
They scored a lot of goals together i meant!
What they do in the privacy of their own homes is none of our business
25 daiv // Mar 13, 2008 at 21:29
Craigg
I have been accused of being negative. I cannot get much more positive than saying Smith MAY score a goal. On the other hand he may go a whole season without scoring a goal. And KK will still select him. Which do you think is the more likely? Does not say a lot for Kev does it?
26 CRAIGG // Mar 13, 2008 at 21:39
Daiv its a massively positive person that backs Smith to score before the end of the season he couldnt score in a brothel armed with the key to fort knox
KK will start Oba or Viduka with Owen against the brummies im sure of that
27 daiv // Mar 13, 2008 at 22:03
Craigg,
Lets hope so. If he continues to pick Smith, and to a lesser extent Butt, we are going down and deservedly so. We have players to put us in mid table but KK seems determined to get us relegated. lets wait for the team on Monday.
28 CRAIGG // Mar 13, 2008 at 22:09
Daiv,
I honestly think this side will start against Brum:
Harper
Beye Taylor Faye Enrique
Geremi Barton N’Zogbia Duff
Owen Martins
Subs: Forster, Cacapa, Butt, Smith, Viduka
Or am i deluding myself again?
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