There’s little doubt that tomorrow’s Newcastle game at Hull City, will be a watershed game for the Tyneside club for this season.
Newcastle have won only one game in their last twelve games with just 6 points out of their last 10 league games, and that’s just not good enough for Newcastle to retain their status in the Premier league.
Newcastle have both Nicky Butt and ca[ptain Michael Owen back for the game tomorrow, and we expect Nicky to get a starting place.
Michael Owen has been training now for close to 2 weeks, and he’s looking sharp, from what Chris Hughton has said, so we expect Owen to play some part in tomorrow’s vital game.
Nicky missed the game against his old club Manchester United, and he is obviously glad to be back to try to get Newcastle back on the winning trail.
Good news today that Habib Beye is back in full training, but both he and Danny Guthrie will not be ready for tomorrow’s game. Damien Duff will also not be included in the squad for tomorrow’s game because of injury.
Kevin Nolan will also miss the game, and will be serving his final game of a three match ban for his sending off against Everton.
Kevin will be available for our next home game against Arsenal and so probably will be Danny Guthrie, so it looks like we will have more than a decent squad to pick from for that game.
For tomorow’s game we expect the the side to be almost the same as the side that started against Manchester United, with Nicky Butt replacing Geremi in central midfield.
So this is the team we expect Newcastle to field for tomorrow’s vital game:
Harper
S.Taylor Coloccini Bassong Enrique
R. Taylor Butt Smith Gutierrez
Lovenkrands Martins
Subs: Forster Cacapa Edgar Geremi Owen Ameobi Carroll
We assume that Viduka is still injured (what’s new?) so he’s not included.
Hull City will will see the return to the first team squad of Andy Dawson who missed the win at Fulham due to suspension. But George Boateng is not expected to return from injury until next season along with their record signing Jimmy Bullard, from Fulham.
Hull City are not much better off than Newcastle and the win against Fulham was their first in the league since they beat Middlesbrough in early December.
The keys of the game for Newcastle will, as always, be a strong performance from our defense, where a clean sheet has to be the aim. We also expect the lads to start the game like a steam train – and keep going, and that Chris Hughton will make full use of a strong bench.
Then we would hope that one of the strikers can get the goal or goals that will bring Newcastle a win they desperately need.
Anything less than that will be disappointing, to say the least, for success-starved Newcastle fans.
Comments welcome.
118 comments so far
WELSHMAG
Mar 13, 2009 at 4:27 PM
Comment #1If we lose I’m going to drink myself stupid and get it on with an ugly woman 20 years my senior and wake up with a stinking hangover and regret life…………………. ohhh wait…….I did that last sat and we didn’t have a game…………..
Yellow Belly
Mar 13, 2009 at 4:29 PM
Comment #2Would like to see LuaLua start with R.Taylor at RB would gives us more flair on the wings, Hull are very weak out wide and play narrow.
sirjasontoon
Mar 13, 2009 at 4:32 PM
Comment #3Tuff Match 3 points please or I will weep all weekend : (
sirjasontoon
Mar 13, 2009 at 4:40 PM
Comment #4Maybe Xisco could kiss em to death : )
http://www.thespoiler.co.uk/index.php/2009/03/13/candid-pictures-suggest-newcastle-utd-striker-has-plenty-of-close-male-friends
Toon_Factor
Mar 13, 2009 at 4:45 PM
Comment #5Dont like Xisco anymore lol
will die for the toon army
Mar 13, 2009 at 4:49 PM
Comment #6guys correct me if am wrong but isnt S. Taylor suspended.
will die for the toon army
Mar 13, 2009 at 4:52 PM
Comment #7SJT- I dont believe that i dont think its him.
Premiership Manager
Mar 13, 2009 at 4:54 PM
Comment #8Ryan Taylor should start on the bench after his last game. Despite the hype he has failed to impress me in any game and in the last game he was very poor.
Team should be
S Taylor Colo Bassong Enrique
Lovenkrands Smith Butt Jonas
Owen
Martins
Carrol should also be in consideration. I won’t hold my breath about tomorrow as I’ll settle for 0-1 to newcastle now although that may be optomistic as Hull have shown on more than one occasion what they are capable of.
A draw although not desirable may not be that bad a result.
In a few weeks time we will have a full midfield to pick from and if we can’t put results together then, it won’t be good.
Lets hope that we play well and are lucky tomorrow, however the players need to realise that one good result won’t be enough so if we do well we need to drive on and grind out more good results.
Stuart79
Mar 13, 2009 at 4:54 PM
Comment #9I’m expecting the same level of commitment and performance tomorrow as we saw against Man U.
If they don’t there needs to be serious questions raised!
If we play like that we’ll win I think, providing we take our chances.
Matt
Mar 13, 2009 at 4:56 PM
Comment #10Please don’t swap Butt in for Geremi. It’d be the biggest mistake.
ObaMartins
Mar 13, 2009 at 5:11 PM
Comment #11If we loose this one its Goodbye Premier Hello Championship…..
Volume_Coxlodge
Mar 13, 2009 at 5:15 PM
Comment #12Calm down everybody. Important yes, end of the world – no. Not everybody is match fit.
I think the Arsenal game is a better measure. Or does this sound like I am a bit scared?
Zangwill_Ho
Mar 13, 2009 at 5:23 PM
Comment #13positive power! win!
Hugh de Payen
Mar 13, 2009 at 5:30 PM
Comment #14We should not be leaving this to chance. I think we should have hired the best manager money can buy until the end of the season to help us avoid relegation.
That said, I am feeling quite positive about this game. On recent form Hull have the worst home record in the Premiership.
We should at least draw and even a win should certainly be within our grasp. On paper anyway.
If we lose though, I think it’s all over.
sirjasontoon
Mar 13, 2009 at 6:07 PM
Comment #15Draw not good enough.
Win or trapdoor is swingin open !
sirjasontoon
Mar 13, 2009 at 6:13 PM
Comment #16Good Article on Newcastle Banter-Heros need only Apply.
Only heroes need apply for this do-or-die mission
By John Gibson on Mar 13, 09 02:40 PM in
IS A Tynesider about to thrust a dagger deep into the heart of Newcastle United?
We will find out tomorrow when Phil Brown attempts to engineer another successful day for Hull City against the Geordies.
Already this season Brown has presided over two victories at St James’s Park and a draw at home when fielding basically a reserve side.
He has snatched three crucial points from United and knocked them out of the FA Cup.
Yet Hull play host tomorrow with the worst home record in the Premier League – only three wins with three draws and a whopping eight defeats – and have triumphed but twice in their last 19 PL games despite their shock victory at Fulham last time out.
It all paints a picture of toothless Tigers rather than roaring beasts and, while that may be somewhat misleading, one stark fact confronts Newcastle.
THEY MUST WIN.
Gone is the comfort of a lengthy fixture list or an easy one. Champions League chasers Arsenal and Chelsea are next up at St James’s Park and Stoke’s nasty long ball, physical game awaits on the road after Hull.
It’s now or never. Draws won’t take United where we want them to go. Not when others are reaping three points a time.
Men are required, not boys. Courage not timidity. Leaders not sheep. It is a time for heroes.
If 40 points is the safety target generally accepted in football, then Newcastle need FOUR victories in the remaining 10 matches, having achieved only six wins all season!
Where are they going to come? Against Portsmouth, Middlesbrough and Fulham at home? All right, if you’re sure.
Then where? Hull? That would seem the target right enough because the Mags’ other games are home to Arsenal and Chelsea and away to Stoke, Spurs, Liverpool and Aston Villa. We don’t want to start relying on beating any of them.
Anyway, let’s put the worry to bed as soon as possible. Tomorrow is the start of the rest of United’s PL life. And Mike Ashley’s, because if he thinks the credit crunch has wiped out a chunk of his personal fortune, then should United crash into the Championship he’ll see the slate wiped clean.
However, we should not be seduced by Hull’s last success at Fulham. Before that their recent record was abysmal and their doubts and inhibitions will still exist beneath the surface, because while the result was good, the performance was sketchy. There is no need to travel in fear.
Gone are the romantic days when City were third top of the Premier League – that was back in late October – and Messrs Brown and Paul Duffen, manager and chairman respectively, were seduced enough to warble publicly about European qualification.
Reality has kicked in since in a big way. Relegation, not Europe, became the buzz word.
If United get after Hull from the start those fears will infiltrate players’ minds, and the crowd, used to repeated home failures, will stir angrily.
On the other hand, if Newcastle allow the Tigers the freedom of their own territory, then fans will rise behind them and 90 minutes will be spent on the back foot.
The choice is yours, you Mags, but hear this. If Hull is turned into hell tomorrow for the travelling Toon Army with a display of cowardice in the face of the enemy, then forgiveness will not come easily. Only heroes need apply.
eamonn
Mar 13, 2009 at 6:39 PM
Comment #17I’m not expecting anything from tomorrow’s game but a point would be fantastic. We’ve had our two away wins for the season already. The three “must win” games which will decide our Future will be home V Pompey, Boro & Fulham. This is getting like ” Groundhog Day”! we are on 28pts same as last year, after the the away defeat at Anfield. Then came the turning point under KK, the away draw at Birmingham on Paddy’s day. I’m not confident Hughton can do a repeat, It’s going to go down to the last game of the season. Squeaky Bum Time 🙁
mcvicar
Mar 13, 2009 at 6:44 PM
Comment #18i think braveheart would struggle to motovate our team never mind chris hughton
safferman
Mar 13, 2009 at 6:51 PM
Comment #19id just like to put forward my point of view on some things:
1. NUFC will never have a big enough squad – we get way to many injuries, dunno if its the water or what? How many times do we buy great players and thye’r injured within a month? It seems to happen every season. Eg: Owen never had a single surgery until he came – also i remember when we were actually challenging for the title and bellamy went out for months at the season run in.
2. The fans are the best around, but perhaps to easily dissapointed and that puts extra pressure on the players when playing at home. Not saying its the fans fault, but negativity is contagious.
3. Every time things do start going right, there will inevitably be self inflicted disasters, managers walking, players fighting, owners lying (sounds like every season for the last 5 years?)
but i still keep watching, even though the club is jinxed, hell even the manager gets injured!
wouldnt support anyone else.
rant over.
AngerOfTheNorth
Mar 13, 2009 at 6:51 PM
Comment #20Hmmm, the game could go either way. We’ve got better players, simple as that. But they have home advantage, a team that plays together and a manager that is actually a manager, not some second-rate coach currently out of his depth standing in for a second-rate manager.
I think we’re going to lose, in which case I really don’t know where we’re going to get points from… As has been said before, we need four wins, when we’ve only got 6 so far this season. Plus Hughton has brought in what, one point in his two spells as stand-in manager? We’re stuffed.
As for Xisco, yeah, looks like he’s gay. Can’t say I care either way. It might even be an advantage, he won’t be man-marked so closely!
Cooper
Mar 13, 2009 at 6:59 PM
Comment #21When will people learn, with nicky butt in the team the passing doesnt flow. He reaaly does give the ball away alot more than we notice – geremi doesnt.
Im not geremi’s biggest fan to say the least but against Man U our passing was flowing and we looked threatening.
i think that was because of the absence of two players:
Butt
Shola
As slow as geremi is, he can pick a pass and smith doesnt give the ball away much either even though he lacks creativity. Nicky butt is the problem
roscoe
Mar 13, 2009 at 7:21 PM
Comment #22why is everyone so hung up on this 4 wins thing? firstly i think 37 points will be safe. but do 3 draws and 3 wins not also get u to 40?
Hull – win
Arse – draw
chelsea – lose
stoke – draw
tottenham – draw
pompey – win
pool – lose
boro – win
fulham – draw
villa – lose
= 13 points = 41 points = 14th
Howay the lads!!!!
TOONTOON
Toon_Factor
Mar 13, 2009 at 7:37 PM
Comment #23Im predicting a 4-2 win for us ,I believe they goals will come flying in from Martins and Owen. Really hope that right back Doyle plays remember how Gutierrez tortured him, think he will be hulls weakest link.
Shot Bru
Mar 13, 2009 at 8:05 PM
Comment #24I hope Hughton pairs Owen and Martins together for tomorrows game. This is just the type of opponent where they can fill their boots. Hopefully they can stay fit for the rest of the season and we might be ok. One major thing going in our favour this season is that we are joint 8th top scorers in the PL. At least we can score goals unlike some of the teams around us like Boro, P’mouth, Stoke and Mackems.
Toon_Factor
Mar 13, 2009 at 8:22 PM
Comment #25Shot Bru
Dont think Owen will be risked, no nothing Hughton will only put him on until the 80 minute
Alex
Mar 13, 2009 at 8:27 PM
Comment #26I say for tomorrow we should pick the same team as against manure and let them come out fighting with the same passion . If we play as good as we did for the first 30 minutes against manure , then by half-time the game is in the bag . 4-0 the Toon , Martins and lovenkrands to go on the rampage .
Shot Bru
Mar 13, 2009 at 8:57 PM
Comment #27Toon Factor you’re probs right, but with 10 games to go it’s time to take some risks rather than play the cautious approach. If Owen is fit enough for the bench i reckon he should start especially against the likes of Hull. I wouldn’t drop Lovenkrands, just play him out wide so we have plenty pace on the wings and up front hopefully creating chances from quick counter attacks.
Toon_Factor
Mar 13, 2009 at 9:13 PM
Comment #28Shot Bru
Im not trying to get to you, but still if Owen starts the game and plays about 60+ minutes, their is more chance of him tweaking his whatever and thats him out for another 6 weeks and thats are time in the premiership over
Rodzilla
Mar 13, 2009 at 9:25 PM
Comment #29Zangwill_Ho // Mar 13, 2009 at 5:23 PM
positive power! win!
…short but sweet mate. Good attitude.
amonn // Mar 13, 2009 at 6:39 PM
“I’m not expecting anything from tomorrow’s game but a point would be fantastic.”
The thing is mate, Portsmouth play the smoggies on Saturday, so if we get 1 point we could be in the bottom 3 – if we get 0 points we’re GUARANTEED bottom 3, and we have Arsenal and Chelsea as our next two games.
All this meaning we’ll almost DEFINATELY have a mountain to climb against Stoke (a) and beyond in a months time – unless we get maximum points tomorrow.
3 points tomorrow is a real no-brainer. A draw at the KC and I’m placing a bulk order of Kanga pants.
batty
Mar 13, 2009 at 9:30 PM
Comment #30Rodzilla surely we cant lose 3 times in 1 season against hull m8 and stoke will defo go down m8 with west brom weve just got to hope we are not the third team
Duffman
Mar 13, 2009 at 9:32 PM
Comment #31How has noone commented on the best news from this post… Habib Beye is back in training?!?
Rodzilla
Mar 13, 2009 at 9:33 PM
Comment #32…I definately reckon CH will bring Owen on as a sub as well TF. My team would be
Harper
S.Taylor——Colo——Bass——–Enrique
R.Taylor—Butt—Smith—Spiderman
Martins——Loving Grans
(with Owen on at some point)
batty
Mar 13, 2009 at 9:35 PM
Comment #33Rodzilla weve scored 1 goal against them in 3 games a think we will win tomoz 3 0 or 3 1 m8
Rodzilla
Mar 13, 2009 at 9:37 PM
Comment #34Duffman // Mar 13, 2009 at 9:32 PM
…it’s on a previous story mate.
batty // Mar 13, 2009 at 9:30 PM
…yes mate, I’m with you on the ‘surely not’ front. We’ve GOT to show them who’s boss here. It’s HULL FFS! I’d like to say someone is due a battering – and at 7/4 I’ll be having a punt.
…you fancy Khan tomorrow night then?! 😀
toon 86
Mar 13, 2009 at 9:42 PM
Comment #35michael owen has cost us money,higher place in the prem,sighnings[wages],steven taylers been shit[except the pen he won v makams]martins cant strike at goal to save his life,sholas shit,harpers no where near the best keeper in the prem,guthrie wat the hell we got him 4,liverpool reserve were goin places arnt we.and a big thank you to sir mike ashley thanx 4 killing the geordie dream fat prick
Rodzilla
Mar 13, 2009 at 9:43 PM
Comment #36…I think Barerra’ll put him on his @rse rnds 4-6 mesel – 8/1.
I’m hoping our game will be ‘Game of the Day’ on Sky, then switch over for the fight. Rip-off Sky Box Office like.
Rodzilla
Mar 13, 2009 at 9:47 PM
Comment #37toon 86,
you forgot to say…
…AND WE’RE ALL GONA DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
😉
chin up FFS, and in the wise words of Lenny Kravitz – “so many years we’ve tried, to keep our love alive, but baby it ain’t over ’till it’s over”
KEEP THE FAITH!
komfort
Mar 13, 2009 at 9:47 PM
Comment #38how do batty ye al reet mate ?
rodzilla those odds look rather big to me , think i might be investing some of the pretty green on them
Toon_Factor
Mar 13, 2009 at 9:49 PM
Comment #39toon 86
Martins has an excellent shot actually
toon 86
Mar 13, 2009 at 9:51 PM
Comment #40rodzilla i rekon first punch first roundnkhans going down