Tomorrow’s game at the JJB is always a difficult one for Newcastle, and last year we gave one of our worst performances of the season in losing 1-0.
Within a couple of weeks Sam Allardyce was out at Newcastle and of course since then we’ve had another two manager in Kevin Keegan and right now former Wimbledon boss Joe Kinnear, who has done a sterling job so far.
Newcastle have gone 6 games without defeat, and have won their last two games, and will be looking for all 3 points at the JJB tomorrow.
Newcastle have Ameobi and Martins out injured, with long term injuries to Alan Smith, Joey Barton and Ignacio Gonzales.
We expect Mark Viduka to start for Newcastle, although Joe may elect to start Damien Duff up front with Michael Owen, and bring on Mark in the second half.
But we’d like to see Mark start the game, in an effort for him to become fully match fit becasue once he’s fit he’s a good player – but of course he’s very rarely fully fit during the season.
We expect the team to be as follows:
Given
Beye Coloccini Bassong Enrique,
Gutierrez Butt Guthrie N’Zogbia
Viduka Owen
Subs: Harper Cacapa Taylor Edgar Geremi Carroll Duff
The lads are in good form right now, and looking very well organized in all areas of the field, and we must be a decent chance of all 3 points on Boxing Day.
Again, a strong defensive display will be necessary and a clean sheet would be great.
Wigan are in decent form having won 3 of their last 5 league games, and Emmerson Boyce may return form his torn hamstring, and of course Geordie manager Steve Bruce will have his side fully prepared against his home town club.
Wigan has an extremely impressive record against Newcastle and have managed to beat the Magpies on every occasion at the JJB in the League, but the winning scoreline has always been 1-0, and we think it may be difficult for the Latics to hold our attack tomorrow. Also, with our defense in excellent form, they may also find it difficult to score our much improved back-line, with Given again in terrific form.
Wilson Palacios will return to the Wigan side after his one match ban kept him out of the 3-0 win over hapless Blackburn.
Last season at the end of the year, we had 26 points from our 20 games played and right now we have 22 points from 18 games. So two wins in our remaining two fixtures will put us better off than we were last year at this time, and after all the nonsense that’s gone on at the club since August, that wouldn’t be too bad.
It should be a decent and close game tomorrow, and we are hoping Newcastle will be able to shade it – and then we can think about Liverpool at St. James’ Park on Sunday.
Comments very welcome.
14 comments so far
Liam
Dec 25, 2008 at 10:43 AM
Comment #1Come on, get a win!
cause I got the girth
Dec 25, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Comment #2think everyone will agree, 3 points will be the best present anyone can ask for 😉
adam
Dec 25, 2008 at 10:57 AM
Comment #3ive already got my present of the win against the scum spurs
Volume33
Dec 25, 2008 at 11:07 AM
Comment #4Wigan, physical team, committed, organised, NUFC have to match them.
Draw is a good result, but we have match winners on the bench.
Whelan is a tw*t
Alex
Dec 25, 2008 at 11:19 AM
Comment #5We will win tomorrow would like to see LuaLua on the bench at least .
Given
Beye Bassong Colo Enrique
Jonas Butt Guthrie Nzogbia
Viduka Owen
subs
Harper Taylor Edgar Geremi LuaLua Duff Xisco
If we are winning comfortably with say 20 Minutes still to play give LuaLua and Xisco a chance .
Antti
Dec 25, 2008 at 11:22 AM
Comment #6Given
Beye Bassong Coloccini Enrique
Jonas Butt Guthrie Nzogbia
Duff
Owen
subs
Harper Taylor Edgar Geremi LuaLua Viduka Xisco
Todd
Dec 25, 2008 at 11:25 AM
Comment #7will JK rotate for this game? maybe start geremi, duff, xisco, taylor?
then have our best team ready for the reds?
or vice-versa as we’re a show v wigan.
ziad
Dec 25, 2008 at 2:31 PM
Comment #8I hope Viduka starts!! hes not the fittest but his touch is deadly.. as we saw on sun, A win would be perfect ! i think Bassong ‘s performances are absolutely vital to the team..
Dennis Twice
Dec 25, 2008 at 3:28 PM
Comment #9I say it twice…do not underestimate Wigan, do not underestimate Wigan
Dennis Twice
Dec 25, 2008 at 3:31 PM
Comment #10Given
Beye Colo Bassong Enrique
SuperMac
Shearer Gerge Bush
…ooh i m so drunk….sorry….happy Chhhh….
bruTOOOON
Dec 25, 2008 at 4:28 PM
Comment #11its a choice of playing duff to support owen or viduka to partner owen.
Viduka for me and bring duff if we need more creativity.
I dont see us getting a result with the reds (pessimistic) but yeah a draw would like a win.
Let us climb the table before new year and then we can sign decent players on january.
Turkish Magpie
Dec 25, 2008 at 5:04 PM
Comment #12if we solely rely on Duff to support Owen that means we’re relying on Owen to score
Little Willie
Dec 25, 2008 at 6:26 PM
Comment #13Sakho bid in, we can have him if PSG can get Gallas from Arsenal.
http://actu.football.fr/2008/12/25/2022-paris-mamadou-sakho-peut-partir-si-william-gallas-signe
vic
Dec 25, 2008 at 10:15 PM
Comment #14given
beye bass colo enriq
jonas guthy nzog
viduka
owen duff