There’s no doubt that tonight’s game is a pivotal game for Newcastle for their season. Things are delicately balanced at the club right now, with a new owner expected to be announced possibly within the week, and a possible 3rd new manager this season being brought in.
But Joe Kinnear in his 3 weeks at the club, has settled down the players, and to a large extent the Newcastle fans. He’s done this by not changing too many things on the field, and quickly instilling the pride and passion that every Newcastle United player should have.
By Kinnear himself letting his players know just how great a club Newcastle are, and how honored he is to be at the helm of Newcastle United, even if it’s just for a few games, seems to have worked wonders in getting the fighting spirit back into the side.
All this is very good but we all know football and football management is all about getting results. If you get wins you are great - and if you get defeats you are little short of terrible - it’s a thin dividing line indeed.
We think Joe will field a strong Newcastle side tonight as follows:
Given
Beye Coloccini Taylor Bassong
Duff Guthrie Butt N’Zogbia
Xisco Martins
Subs: Harper Cacapa Tozer Geremi Enrique Ranger Ameobi
Jonas Gutierrez will not be risked, and Nacho Gonzales is still out with a sore Achilles heel.
The team is a good one that should be able to score goals, and on Saturday Joe should also have Jonas Gutierrez and Joey Barton back for the important Sunderland game, so things on the injury front are slowly improving.
This is what we think we must do tonight if we are to win this game:
- The defense has to perform a lot better than it has over the last few games. We prefer Bassong to Enrique tonight, because he seems to be the steadier player right now, and it’s important the back four are solid and don’t make any mistakes. Coloccini and Taylor must have confident games and communicate well.
- The central midfield two of Nicky Butt and Danny Guthrie must get a stranglehold on midfield, and they’ve shown in the past they can do this well. With a large and supportive crowd behind them tonight, there should be no reason why they cannot both have good games, but getting a grip on central midfield will be important for a win tonight.
- Up front we’re not sure who Martins will be partnered with, but we expect the young Spanish Under-21 player Xisco to start the game, and it will be important that he gets the head-ons and knockdowns that Martins can take advantage of.
It’s asking a lot of Oba Martins in his first game back, but we still expect the lad to put in a strong performance, which will not be lacking in heart and fight, that’s for sure. This lad has a heart as big as Tynemouth!
- We must make a good start to the game and not start playing once half time approaches, when we are usually already a goal or two behind.
Joe will stress to the players that they must start like a bullet train in order to get an early grip on this game.
We think if the lads can do the above then we have every chance of getting all 3 points tonight - and that’s just exactly what the fans, the players, Joe Kinnear and the Newcastle United club need right now.
Howay The Lads!!!
40 responses so far ↓
1 Tom4Nufc // Oct 20, 2008 at 13:33
I hope that the Xisco/Martins partnership does well, as I can see it being a long term strikeforce for us, assuming Xisco can cope, and improve in the Premiership.
2 Mac // Oct 20, 2008 at 13:34
I am so so nervous about this game. We need a win tonight no 2 ways about it. Glad Martins is back. And i’m over the moon Barton is back on Saturday.
Make no mistake about it tonight is our biggest gane of the season so far
3 selly no skill // Oct 20, 2008 at 13:36
need to be careful not to get caught on the break by them.they will play counterattacking football.need to be patient for first goal and dont concede.
4 SamsFat // Oct 20, 2008 at 13:38
http://www.nufctube.net/view/55/man-city-v-newcastle-fa-cup-final-1955/
5 stuart // Oct 20, 2008 at 13:58
Anouncement on new owners expected possible this week?
Where you getting this info from? God i hope ya right! But i’m gettin more and more resigned to the fact that Ashley is here to sdtay!
6 thelongshanks // Oct 20, 2008 at 14:01
CMON THE TOON!
7 ariel7 // Oct 20, 2008 at 14:04
Ed.. i think Ameobi will start with Martin up front
8 J Tudor // Oct 20, 2008 at 14:07
Just read the quotes by Joe Kinear in the chron ahead of todays game, can alan oliver and co get any further up S Taylors arse. Even Joe Kinears at it ‘future captain’ I hope not. He might be able to talk a good pre and post match interview but Taylor cannot defend to save his life, waving his arms about like a f***in seagulls wings, well I hope he takes flight and hovers into the stands. Get young Basong next to Collicini.! Just because he talks with a geordie tongue dosen’t mean he’s good enough!!! And before you say it ‘yes’ he did rescue us against Everton but he’s meant to be a centre half defending and he’s shite at it!!!
9 IndiaMag // Oct 20, 2008 at 14:13
Hey guys!! Any links for tonight’s game yet?? I’m in India and I don’t have setanta here, and this is the first time I’m watching the game via the internet as we usually get live telecast for Newcastle mathches on espn so any pointers that i might need to watch it online??
10 mushy // Oct 20, 2008 at 14:21
@indiamag
Try justin.tv
I’m sure there are other live-stream sites, but this one has definately worked for me in the past.
Happy watching
11 J Tudor // Oct 20, 2008 at 14:24
try liveonlinefooty.com you have to pay a couple of quid but its good quality, alternativley there’s live footy.doctor but the quality isn’t that good, it’s worth paying £2-3 quid for a decent stream if you cannot get it anywhere ou there.
12 najikhin from malaysia // Oct 20, 2008 at 14:25
@broon ale: u suck man!
can some1 fwd me the link for tonights game plz..
no setanta at my place..
13 canucktoon // Oct 20, 2008 at 14:36
ameobi will start
14 graeme // Oct 20, 2008 at 15:23
I dont think Oba is going to last more than an hour tonight, so we will need at least someone on the bench who can score goals.
I certainly wouldnt be betting the farm on Shola suddenly becoming a footballer though. Give one of the younger players a run out - fresh, keen legs could work wonders!!!! Nile Ranger is banging them in for fun at the moment, give him a chance to shine for 20 - 30 minutes.
15 Flan // Oct 20, 2008 at 15:28
I have a feeling that Geremi will start tonight on the right and Duff will play up front with Martins.
16 neeraj // Oct 20, 2008 at 15:28
http://www.justin.tv/directory/sports/soccer?kind=live&order=hot
17 Flan // Oct 20, 2008 at 15:29
I’d love to see Ranger given a chance tonight for 20 mins too.
18 Punk Skunk // Oct 20, 2008 at 15:35
Given
Beye-Colo-Taylor-Bassong
Geremi-Butt-Guthrie
Duff-Zog
Martins
…Maybe 442 tho’…
…I’d have:
Harper
Beye-Colo-Bassong-Enrique
Geremi-Butt-Guthrie-Duff
Xisco-Martins
…If we play 442 meself like!..
19 Shanghaitoon // Oct 20, 2008 at 15:47
Can we please just get Nicky Butt to stop giving away penalties and putting us behind before 15 mins is up… !
20 Flan // Oct 20, 2008 at 15:54
I backed Toon to score in both halves at 5/1. It’s a good price but i think i may be a bit optimistic or mad
21 xisco biscuits // Oct 20, 2008 at 16:06
sorely tempted by backing SWP to score anytime in a man city win, and my betting is crap so hopefully that will jinx them!!
also had a horrible dream about a richardson free-kick next saturday so i might put a jinx bet on that aswell
22 Tom_Toon // Oct 20, 2008 at 16:12
Taylor needs to be dropped!
Bassong move into the centre and Enrique at LB.
23 Denver Mag // Oct 20, 2008 at 16:20
Don’t believe Taylor should start in CD based on current performance, so my team selection is:
Given
Taylor Cassapa Coloccini Bassong
Duff Guthrie Butt N’Zogbia
Xisco Martins
Subs: Harper Beye Tozer Geremi Enrique Ranger Ameobi
I expect Beye to get a run out at some stage or may even shade Taylor’s selection at full back; we’ll see…..
A win or draw is important due to the upcoming game against Sunderland!
24 Ageordiedoonsooth // Oct 20, 2008 at 16:24
J Tudor are you Tom_Toon under another name? Taylor will not only be a future Newcastle captain he will also be a future England captain.
25 Rasko a.k.a Hadji // Oct 20, 2008 at 16:31
Agerordiedoonsooth……I gotta tell ya,if we end up with owners who have high ambitions for the club,you gonna see Taylor launched in a space shuttle far away from SJP
26 Toon // Oct 20, 2008 at 16:40
given
beye taylor colo bassong
geremi butt guthrie nzog
duff martins
OR
given
beye taylor colo bassong
duff butt guthrie nzog
xisoc martins
…i hope ranger gets a shot tonight
im setting of soon come on n’castleeee
27 Punk Skunk // Oct 20, 2008 at 16:49
Defo prefer
Beye-Colo-Bassong-Enrique
28 Who is Derek Llambias? // Oct 20, 2008 at 16:50
JFK will start Shola with Martins. Guaranteed
29 simon376 // Oct 20, 2008 at 17:09
I can also see Taylor as a future captain. For him being a captain, it doesnt matter how good he defends, its how he can get info across to his team mates. As for his game, yes he makes some mistakes, but who doesnt?
There was a good interview by Mick Mcarthey on Sky Sports earlier. He ws complaining about a small section of the crowd getting on one of his players backs and booing him. As he said, this effects the player and his team mates and the fans should be getting behind the team. We should do the same both on here and at St James Park. Lets give the lads the support they need and show we are righ behind them. As Mcarthey said, if people around start booing, give them a dig and tell them to shut up. At least the lads next to me back the team and clap and sing all the way through
30 Punk Skunk // Oct 20, 2008 at 17:15
Aye Simon,
It’s our duty to support from the 1st min to the last!..
…Ho’way!..
Toon, Toon!..
31 Tom_Toon // Oct 20, 2008 at 17:22
Taylor future England captain, ahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahah……………………..ahahahahahahahahahaahahahaha
He’ll never even get a cap.
32 Flan // Oct 20, 2008 at 17:29
Im gettin nervous now. I hope we get a result.
C’MON THE TOON!!!!
33 Nufc_DC // Oct 20, 2008 at 17:31
http://www.freesportonline.piczo.com has our match LIVE IN HD THE NIGHT!
34 I Made 1000 // Oct 20, 2008 at 17:33
awwww nooo spidey!!!!
35 Flan // Oct 20, 2008 at 17:33
On the captain front i’d like to think that Bassong will one day be captain. He looks like he oozes confidence and he isn’t afraid to bark orders at his team mates or give them a bollocking and he’s only here a wet week. Imagine whst he could be like in a few seasons.
36 J Tudor // Oct 20, 2008 at 17:56
Ageordiedoonsooth, No Iam not tomtoon under a different name and what the f**k are you doing listening to Mick McCarthy?? I would never boo a toon player, can’t see the point but you and simon376 are seriously deluded if you think that Taylor will become a top centre half. He will be below average premiership defender just good enough to hold down a place in a shite premiership club, but as long as he’s playing for toon I will cheer him and hope he does well but that does not mean I think he is a good player!
37 Obaf3m1 // Oct 20, 2008 at 17:59
Newcastle United win lads, Obafemi Martins HAT TRICK! I just feel that he’ll be wanting to stake his claim as the top striker at St. Jame’s Park.
I so wish Jonas Guiterrez was playing tonight but you have to be cautious, you don’t want him coming back to early and provoking a reaction to his shoulder injury and being out for even longer.
Bassong looks the real deal btw. Confident and he’s talking all the time, i don’t think I’ve seen anyone else in our back for do that besides Habib Beye and it’s what we have needed. Communication between all the players on the pitch.
Nicky Butt is finished if you ask me. He is too slow! Making late challenges giving away penalties and freekicks a little bit too often for my liking not to mention the wayward long lobbed passes he fails at miserably. I have great respect for Nicky Butt, all he has achieved but there is time when you body should start telling you that it’s not up to it any more.
38 simon376 // Oct 20, 2008 at 18:26
Must remember that, next time I’ve got Sky Sports News on, must turn it off if an ex sunderland manager comes on.
39 Steve_48 // Oct 20, 2008 at 19:03
Off to the pub to night lads to watch this one, best of British to all
40 Dannufc // Oct 20, 2008 at 19:15
On saturday do u think hell drop Buut for Barton or Gutherie for Barton hope its Butt
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