Newcastle will have Andy Carroll back for the game against Bolton tomorrow, but it’s unlikely the 20 year old will get a start up front, in another crucial 6 pointer for the Magpies.
With Kevin Nolan starting the first of a 3 match suspension tomorrow, and with both Joey Barton and Danny Guthrie still being unfit, stand-in manager Chris Hughton will need to decide who starts in central midfield alongside the experienced Nicky Butt for tomorrow’s game.
Michael Owen, Habib Beye, and Uruguayan Nacho Gonzalez are also not fit for tomorrow’s game, and will take no part.
Ryan Taylor played in central midfield in the second half last Sunday against Everton and did quite well, and it may be he will be given a chance there again.
But Alan Smith is fit again, at last, and could also play alongside Butt. While Geremi would be the more obvious replacement for Nolan, the Cameroon International has not played well recently, and we don’t expect him to start.
Decisions also for Chris Hughton as to who to start up front for the two strikers, and surely a place will be found for Oba Martins, now fully fit from his groin strain, and raring to go for Newcastle tomorrow.
We thought that Shola Ameobi looked particularly poor last week, and it could be that Lovenkrands starts up front or Mark Viduka, who is presumably fully fit again and could be used.
There are also 3 players – Ryan Taylor, Jonas Gutierrez and Damien Duff fighting it out for the two wide positions, with Peter Lovenkrands also a possible starter on one of the wings.
So there are plenty of different combinations Chris Hughton can go with tomorrow, which is indicative of more players returning from injury – at long last.
This is the side we think Hughton will field tomorrow at The Reebok:
Harper
S.Taylor Coloccini Bassong Enrique
Duff R.Taylor Butt (c) Gutierrez
Viduka Martins
Subs: Forster Cacapa Smith Geremi Lovenkrands Ameobi Carroll
Again that is a decent team, with plenty of experience, and the bench is strong.
It may be a bit of a gamble to start Mark Viduka, who has hardly been fit at all this season, but he’s got class and should be motivated to do well for Newcastle tomorrow.
There is still a slim hope he may possibly get a contract extension at Newcastle in the summer, though slim at best. If Mark doesn’t start we’d like to see Andy Carroll given a start before Ameobi, since Andy is now fit again following his ankle injury aagainst Sunderland.
However, there is also a decent likelihood that Hughton will stick with Shola.
The keys for Newcastle tomorrow are to put in another very good performance in defense, and we again look to Bassong and Coloccini to be solid as a rock, at the back, with full backs Taylor and Enrique again in good form, and Harps being safe as houses in goal, as he usually is.
Newcastle will need some goalscoring prowess in the team, which is why Carroll and Lovenmkrands could both be used a substitutes tomorrow, with Alan Smith possibly getting 45 minutes in midfield, depending on how Ryan Taylor performs alongside Nicky Butt.
This is a game Newcastle can win, and with Middlesbrough surprisingly beating Liverpool 2-0 this afternoon at The Riverside (Liverpool looked hopeless), and now only a couple of points behind Newcastle in the league, we could do with all 3 points. Bolton fans will no doubt be saying the very same thing.
A win will also see Newcastle leap-frog Bolton, who currently have 30 points, two more than the Magpies.
Bolton had an excellent win last week at the Reebok by beating a good West Ham Side 2-1, after being a couple of goals up in the first 11 minutes through Matthew Taylor and Kevin Davies.
Bolton manager Gary Megson could very well name an unchanged side for the game tomorrow, and Swedish striker Johan Elmander looks likely to retain his place in the team, after making his comeback from a hamstring injury last weekend.
Striker Kevin Davies will be a danger man for Newcastle and somebody that Coloccini will need to mark closely, just like he handled Brazilian Jol very well last Sunday.
Howay The Lads!!
105 comments so far
OHurley
Feb 28, 2009 at 5:39 PM
Comment #1UNO!!
Newcastle 3, Bolton 1
Howay the lads
OHurley
Feb 28, 2009 at 5:39 PM
Comment #2deux
OHurley
Feb 28, 2009 at 5:40 PM
Comment #3trois
CPorterNufc
Feb 28, 2009 at 5:44 PM
Comment #4Would be content with a point tomorrow to be honest although if the team Ed has selected starts and plays to their full potential we could nick the three points! At least we have players comin back from injury!
Can someone tell me when our shirt sponsor for Northern Rock runs out – was wondering if we will have a new sponsor for next season?? Cheers!
TOONtomARMY
Feb 28, 2009 at 5:46 PM
Comment #5why has this website turned so quiet recently?
Obafan
Feb 28, 2009 at 5:48 PM
Comment #6Bad news Gonzalez is injured ;-).
Toon_Factor
Feb 28, 2009 at 5:49 PM
Comment #7Expecting a hard game tomorrow, Dont think Bolton have got any big injury worries. Agree with Ed, Coloccini needs to man mark one of their strikers like he did with Jo, their best line up could be Jaaskelainen, Samuel, Cahill, O’Brien, Steinsson, Taylor, Muamba, McCann Gardner Elmanda, Davies. DANGERMEN= Davies and Taylor, and that Cahill is a good defender aswell
Johno Toon
Feb 28, 2009 at 5:53 PM
Comment #8think we will win tomorrow, noticed that myself toontomarmy, just over the last week r so
TOONtomARMY
Feb 28, 2009 at 5:56 PM
Comment #9there only says be be a dozen or even less comments on each page nowadays 🙁
Toon_Factor
Feb 28, 2009 at 6:06 PM
Comment #10This is a great season review for last season
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dkbjQv1VG0
arctoa
Feb 28, 2009 at 6:50 PM
Comment #11I’ve noticed the drop-off in comments; it might have something to do with the log-in issues that have been plaguing the site. It took me a long time to get it working.
Also we’ve picked up a bit of form and the board are speaking out so there’s less for people to complain about. Ahaha.
As for the match it’ll be a tricky one and we have to hope that the players are up for it ’cause a team like Bolton can just push us around if allowed. I’d take a draw and a solid performance.
Alex
Feb 28, 2009 at 7:05 PM
Comment #12arctoa
if we can play like we did second half against Everton with 10 men , then i don’t see Bolton pushing us around when we have 11 on the pitch . Since kinnear came in we have become stronger more agressive and harder to beat in these sort of games . i fancy us to get a win
Toon Graeme
Feb 28, 2009 at 7:29 PM
Comment #13The numbers dropped off literally when the window shut in Feb.
I think with the press releases and interviews with DL answered alot what people were arguing about, sorry having debates.
Plus as said earlier – everything that could be said has been said twice over.
Back to the match. We need to dominate the mid and keep the ball and break their defense down.
I really would love 3 points which leads me on to Middlesbrough.
Yet again – we get ar$e raped and the smoggies beat them. That REALLY pees me off!
Toon_Ksk (Huh? u mean David Craig is real?)
Feb 28, 2009 at 7:35 PM
Comment #14Bolton 1 Newcastle 2, hopefully not another draw or worse, a defeat.
Ben_BKK
Feb 28, 2009 at 7:46 PM
Comment #15Same here Toon Graeme, I hate how Liverpool happened to be sh*te today, when they played amazing against us. It’s happened a lot… look at Arsenal, they played one of their best games of the season against us, and now they’re drawing against Fulham and the mackems.
It’s just typical.
Tom
Feb 28, 2009 at 7:46 PM
Comment #16Harper
S Taylor, Coloccini, Bassong, Enrique
Duff, R Taylor, Butt, Jonas
Martins, Carroll
Krul, Cacapa, Smith, LuaLua, Lovenkrands, Geremi, Viduka
If Carroll isn’t fit enough, Lovenkrands up front and Ameobi onto the bench. I’m not optimistic enough to think that Ranger would make the bench.
Tooony
Feb 28, 2009 at 8:19 PM
Comment #172:0 to the Toon
Howay the lads!!!
OHurley
Feb 28, 2009 at 8:36 PM
Comment #18Any chance LuaLua will ever make it to the bench? I guess that’ll happen about the same time Ranger will, huh?
OHurley
Feb 28, 2009 at 8:36 PM
Comment #19I’ve been using LuaLua on the wings and up front in FIFA 09 to great effect. He’s fast as heck in that game!!
OHurley
Feb 28, 2009 at 8:46 PM
Comment #20Jeez, everybody is too quiet… I’m really missing the conversation, here… I don’t have anybody else to talk about the Toon with. Nobody here even knows that there’s a football club named Newcastle. Very aggravating.
Toon_Factor
Feb 28, 2009 at 8:47 PM
Comment #21OHurley
Where do you live like?
OHurley
Feb 28, 2009 at 8:51 PM
Comment #22Nashville, TN. Land of super conservative people that think if it’s not American football, it’s not a sport. LoL, little do they know….
OHurley
Feb 28, 2009 at 8:51 PM
Comment #23I’m graftin’ currently, and this blog is about the only thing that keeps me entertained lol.
OHurley
Feb 28, 2009 at 8:52 PM
Comment #24What about you, Toon_Factor? Where ya from? Newcastle?
Hugh Jorgan
Feb 28, 2009 at 8:57 PM
Comment #25Let’s hope we do not play Foluwashola Ameobi.
He is useless !
Bolton will be laughing their socks off should he start.
Alanmc09
Feb 28, 2009 at 8:57 PM
Comment #26Lads,i cant c us gettin gettin 3 points 2moro:-(:-(
I tink we wil get 2 1-1 draw!wit martins 2 score!!
I hope we get all 3 though!
OHurley
Feb 28, 2009 at 9:02 PM
Comment #27Alanmc09-
I think we will pull it off tomorrow. Too bad Kevin Nolan can’t be there on the pitch to best his old club!!
Toon_Factor
Feb 28, 2009 at 9:06 PM
Comment #28OHurley
I Newcastle
Hugh Jorgan
Feb 28, 2009 at 9:08 PM
Comment #29Agreed OHurley, I also think we will give Bolton a spanking !
OHurley
Feb 28, 2009 at 9:09 PM
Comment #30Toon_Factor-
Cool. One day, I’ll make a pilgrimage there and stop by the Bigg Market and steal all your pretty lasses 🙂 Only after seeing a game at SJP, though.
Toon Graeme
Feb 28, 2009 at 9:10 PM
Comment #31Ohurley – sounds like a plan my man – divnt worry about stealing our pretty lasses, there are loads ganning for all in the bigg market! 🙂
OHurley
Feb 28, 2009 at 9:11 PM
Comment #32Hugh-
Heck yeah! I think we got more than a chance. I think we’ll pull it off. May not be pretty, but I think we’ll win. Prediction: 2-1, the Toon.
OHurley
Feb 28, 2009 at 9:13 PM
Comment #33Toon Graeme-
Nivvor ya worry, m8! A’ll treat ’em reel nice, like 🙂
Glad that y’all accept us “almost-Geordies” here. I just love the spirit of the Toon and all the history, too. The whole Hadrian’s Wall thing is freakin’ awesome. No other club I’d wanna follow!!
Alanmc09
Feb 28, 2009 at 9:50 PM
Comment #34Hope ur rite o’hurley!!
Im nt 2 optomistic but we wil see this time 2moro!
Toon Graeme
Feb 28, 2009 at 9:51 PM
Comment #35Ohurley, what time is it when the match is on where you are?
LooneyToon
Feb 28, 2009 at 10:16 PM
Comment #36alreet chaps……
its the NOTW but, Henrik Larsson anyone?
LooneyToon
Feb 28, 2009 at 10:17 PM
Comment #37He is about 40 like….Experience and a quality finisher…..did the business at Manure couple of years back…
LooneyToon
Feb 28, 2009 at 10:18 PM
Comment #38Got this feeling that the Loon is on his tod with this one….
wot a card eh…
Ed- you kicking about…come and have a bit crack with the loon
beyethegreat
Feb 28, 2009 at 10:20 PM
Comment #39hello looney
LooneyToon
Feb 28, 2009 at 10:20 PM
Comment #40Toon Graeme // Feb 28, 2009 at 9:10 PM
Ohurley – sounds like a plan my man – divnt worry about stealing our pretty lasses, there are loads ganning for all in the bigg market! 🙂
————————————————
He obviously hasnt seen them before then… 🙂
You can check out “Kiss” “Reflex Balmbras” and “liquid”….splendid