Kevin Keegan has said on the Newcastle United official site this morning, that he will field the strongest team available when Newcastle United are sent to Coventry for tonight’s second round tie of the Carling Cup.
Kevin Keegan - is he trying to get fit in case he’s needed?
Kevin wants to win something just as early as he can (don’t we all?), and since we haven’t won a domestic trophy since we walloped Manchester City in the FA Cup in 1955 3-1, this is a possible chance of redemption.
Kevin said today:
“We can win FA and the Carling Cup, they’re definitely the two chances we have,” “At the moment we’ve got a chance of winning the league, but that may peter out as the season goes on, it depends on how we play.”
“If I talk about putting a strong side out, I had my only 19 fit players against Bolton at the weekend and one of those, Obafemi Martins has picked up a groin strain.”
“But I will put out the strongest team I can against Coventry because it is a competition we have to take seriously and it’s going to be a tough place to go.”
“It should be a good game. Coventry have started off well, although I know they got beaten at the weekend.” “They started off with six points from two games and they have a guy I really respect in charge, Chris Coleman who I brought to Fulham.”
“They are a club looking to build and go places, with an ambition to be in our league.” “It’s a good test for us, but it’s definitely a competition we will take very seriously.”
“We want to go there to give a good account of ourselves and hopefully win. I can’t really afford to rest anyone.”
But Coventry will have to field a weakened side, with 3 of their 6 new players out injured tonight, so we have a chance of getting through tonight at our first attempt.
And we’re sure that’s what Kevin is thinking - but if he fields his strongest side, does that mean that Steve Harper and other players on the fringe, such as David Edgar, Jose Enrique and Sebastien Bassong, will not get a game?
That could be the case, but we’ll have to wait for Kevin’s team sheet tonight.
Comments welcome.
26 responses so far ↓
1 Dan13 // Aug 26, 2008 at 10:43
rightfully so
2 Ericles // Aug 26, 2008 at 10:51
Strongest team is best way forward. By doing so we not only seriously try and win the game we also show respect for the competition itself. Too many so-called “big” teams field weak sides deliberately and bring the Carling Cup into disrepute by so doing. Given is on top form so cannot be rested though I would give Harper a go sometime later in the game. Enrique can start so Zog can move up into midfield and I would try Milner up behind Owen(even if he comes off the bench after a while). No pussy footing - KK is right - we can take this trophy.
3 wigz // Aug 26, 2008 at 10:51
Dam right these comps should be taken seriously as their both much needed silverware for us & a chance to get in to Europe! comon the toon!!! Owen Hatrick 2nite Smith & Jonas to notch 5-0! get up!
4 WesToon // Aug 26, 2008 at 10:52
Agreed,we need to crush coventry tonight @ worst its a morale booster & it keeps our season flowing in the right direction
Walking in a keegan wonderland
5 Graham // Aug 26, 2008 at 10:56
And so we should. It’s early on in the season so there should be no need for tiredness (apart from Jonas who should be called Forest Gump for the amopunt of running he does).
However, when Kev says ‘full strength’, i’ve a feeling that means Smith up front with Owen.
Could be a good chance to give him some much needed confidence with Oba out for a couple of weeks.
6 Graham // Aug 26, 2008 at 10:59
Good point Ericles - Kev should bring in Enrique and move Zog forward - either on the wing or lcm
7 Tom // Aug 26, 2008 at 11:00
The only player who could potentially be tired could be Coloccini, with him not having had a pre-season!
8 Davies // Aug 26, 2008 at 11:06
We also want to head to the Emirates on a high on Saturday. Owen will have his own motivation then because Cappello will be watching the Arsenal game.
9 dick // Aug 26, 2008 at 11:07
got to win or lose tonight ed theres no replays in carling cup
10 Ageordiedoonsooth // Aug 26, 2008 at 11:08
Don’t care what the team is as long as we win
11 Fergie // Aug 26, 2008 at 11:37
tonight we should play:
Given/Harps/Krul
Beye Tayls Colo Enrique
Butt
Guthrie N’Zogbia
Milner Spiderman
Owen
12 Punk Skunk // Aug 26, 2008 at 11:41
So we should!..
…This is a must win game!..
13 Spyro // Aug 26, 2008 at 11:45
Tom
Coloccini shouldnt be tired, he continued to train with Depor whilst the transfer saga was going on so that he would remain fit for when he came here, what a star eh
14 James // Aug 26, 2008 at 11:50
A couple of the papers had COLOCCINI in their team of the week….for the second week running.
Makes a change to see a Newcastle defender getting credit
15 Matt // Aug 26, 2008 at 11:50
I thought Smith was still nursing an ‘injury’? I’m assuming he won’t figure tonight for the most part.
I’d like to see Enrique start and bring Bassong on second half if we’re comfortable.
16 Punk Skunk // Aug 26, 2008 at 11:59
smith is nursing an injury to his pride, KK ain’t playing him ‘cos we always lose when he does & the fans don’t like him…He should be playing in the reserves, to build confidence, but it’ll send a message that he ain’t good enough…So the best that could happen is sell the lad!..
17 Spyro // Aug 26, 2008 at 12:05
Inler has rejected a move to Arsenal because it is too early for him to leave Udinese. We could easily nip in there and take him from under their noses by offering higher wages, much like Liverpool did with Babel.
18 tommie lewis // Aug 26, 2008 at 12:17
Is anyone off to the game tonight?
I’m near Cov (eugh) so I have managed to get some xD
C’mon KK, make it a good game!
19 ELFER // Aug 26, 2008 at 12:32
Well I think Smith will have a go insted of owen and that makes sense. I hope we can win confortably and then focus on the transfer window to get 1-2 quality players in!
I think that inler’s decission not to go to arsenal is a very good one! Why go to a team that already has big big competition inside midfield? No he should stay or come to us (maybe a bit too early?), where he has a far better chance to be a starter!
20 HeronMag // Aug 26, 2008 at 12:36
James - Yeah I saw a couple of papers with Jonas and Coloccini in their teams of the week after the Man Utd and Bolton games.
Really does make a refreshing change for a United defender to get credit. Last one I can remember (HONESTLY) is Woodgate.
21 GM // Aug 26, 2008 at 12:44
Does anyone think that Jonas could do a job as AMC? behind owen. Was talking about this on sat at the game, with his running with the ball and also without it he would be suited to a free role and would cause the defence big probs as he would pop up all over the place.
22 Guinea Mag // Aug 26, 2008 at 12:45
Hoping Harper and Enrique get a start; and Zog taking Duff’s position if injured!
Not sure if we should use Owen from the start but who else can we use as the squad is tooooo small………
23 Ross // Aug 26, 2008 at 14:00
what happens if the 90 mins ends a draw tonight?
i saw someone on 606 going on about it going straight to pens but surely thats wrong?
24 GM // Aug 26, 2008 at 14:10
Ross - Extra time then pens
25 nicky nicky // Aug 26, 2008 at 16:29
how can i watch this game ?
can i watch throught justin.tv?
26 rob // Aug 26, 2008 at 17:15
the git given gotta start last year in this cup so should harps this year
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