We’ve said many times this season that a game in the Premier League is crucial – but the one at Stoke City tomorrow could be a water-shed game this season for Newcastle United.
A win and we’ll all believe that Alan Shearer’s reign has started and we can lo0ok forward to better things in the final 6 games of the season, but a defeat, and bringing in Alan Shearer to save the club could even prove to be too late. Then the mother of all disasters – relegation – could be in store for our famous club.
That’s just about how things stand for tomorrow, and we don’t want to get too over-dramatic but when the lads have just 7 points form the last 13 league games, things have got to be pretty serious, as this is the worst run ever for the Tyneside club in the Premier League.
And it just so happens that Stoke City’s home record is more than good, and in 15 home games they have 8 wins and just 4 defeats and a goals for and against of 18 and 13 – an excellent record to get 28 points from their 15 home games.
On the other hand, away from home Newcastle in their 15 games, have just 2 wins at Portsmouth and WBA, and 5 draws for a points total just 11 points, and have 15 goals for and 24 against on their travels. Not too good a record, to say the least.
So just looking at the stats it would appear to be an easy home win for Stoke, but then there’s Alan Shearer.
If Alan is going to become the excellent manager that a lot of Newcastle fans think he is cut out to be, then his influence must be manifestred in results on the field and quickly.
And since we are really 4 points adrift of safety, and just 21 points to play for – that’s what this game is maybe the most important of our season so far.
Keys to a newcastle win are a good defensive performance and no conceding of silly goals like the two we gave way to Chelsea last Saturday. With Bassong and Beye likely to be in central defense that may even be possible.
But we have Steven Taylor, Lovenkrands and Jose Enrique all out tomorrow in addition to Viduka and Barton, so we think Shearer may select the following side to face Stoke:
Harper
R.Taylor Beye Bassong Duff
Geremi Butt Nolan Gutierrez
Martins Owen (c)
Subs: Krul Edgar Cacapa Coloccini Smith Guthrie Carroll
We have Coloccini being droppped and missing his very first minutes of the season at Newcastle, since he was signed from Deportivo in the summer for £10M.
But after his disastrous mistake against Chelsea, when he gifted Lampard their first goal, he needs to be dropped, although Alan may still elect to play the Argentine International at right back, for his experience.
There may even be some surprises for tomorrow, and it may well be that 20 year-old England Under-20 International Andy Carroll, following his two goals and excellent overall display for the Reserves last Monday night, could be drafted into the side. And Alan may elect to play a 4-3-3 formation, which he may want to do very soon, to add some striking power to the side.
But we suspect he would like to wait until Viduka is fit again, but when that will be – we have absolutely no idea, although next weekend is being talked about.
We do need to score some goals tomorrow, and hopefully Owen and Martins will have a better supply line than last Saturday, when the lads were solid for 55 minutes before the first goal, but created few chances to really worry the strong Chelsea side.
And of course Stoke are one of those teams, that may not have any real stars, but Tony Pulis has got them playing as though their lives depended on it, and while that’s good to see for any team, it’s a little of a worry they could out-fight our overpaid stars.
But we hope that’s something that will never happen with Alan in charge of Newcastle United.
And Stoke’s boss Pulis believes Alan Shearer’s arrival will have a positive impact on Newcastle in their fight against relegation as he talked about Alan today:
“I find it bizarre that a team like Newcastle are fighting a relegation battle at this stage of the season.
“But Alan’s arrival will have galvanized everyone up there and I’m sure they will be absolutely desperate to beat us on Saturday.”
Most Newcastle don’t find the relegation situation bizarre, but very frightening and far too real, as normally we would be starting to pull away from the relegation zone, but no signs of that yet.
As we said earlier, we hope we can get a win out of this game, because quite honestly a draw just will not be good enough, given our precarious position in the league table.
Yes, we’ll take the point of course, but we really need all 3 points to start an escape route, from being sucked down into the Championship next season.
Here’s wishing and hoping, as usual.
Howay The Lads!!
71 comments so far
batty
Apr 10, 2009 at 8:13 PM
Comment #41stoke have scored once in 6 homes games against us 3 1 to the toon
Fostino
Apr 10, 2009 at 8:14 PM
Comment #42dead right turkish magpie…..im glad is picking the team and not some of the fans on this thing and I am surprised ed has mentioned it too!!
Fostino
Apr 10, 2009 at 8:17 PM
Comment #43* shearer is picking
JP...from The Rock
Apr 10, 2009 at 8:24 PM
Comment #44It’s funny and also sad that we have to depend so much on our young star Bassong. Contender for EPL Player of the Year Award no doubt. What keeps bugging me is knowing that if we do go down Bassong and Martins and co will leave. It’s heartbreaking knowing everything is in place now to be a huge success only to fall apart if we do get relegated.
Bassong is our first pick of our starting eleven everytime! I pray to God we stay up and it will all be amazing and better than ever!
beyethegreat
Apr 10, 2009 at 8:29 PM
Comment #45if refereeing decisions had been fair stoke would be 4 places below us
http://www.jeffwinterentertainmentandmedia.co.uk/loi/0809000i.htm
batty
Apr 10, 2009 at 8:29 PM
Comment #46JP…from The Rock your spot on they should of got some 1 in sooner but i think it will still work m8 cos i think the mackems will go doon
Turkish Magpie
Apr 10, 2009 at 8:56 PM
Comment #47not just that BTG, we should have 6 more points from
Newcastle 2-2 Man City- should’ve been 2-1
Newcastle 2-2 Stoke – Should’ve been 2-1
Newcastle 2-2 Wigan – Should’ve been 2-1
Stuart79
Apr 10, 2009 at 9:05 PM
Comment #48If we lose tomorrow then it’s goodbye Vienna!
But for what it’s worth I don’t think we’ll get beat. I think we can win.
I can’t remember what it’s like to enjoy match of the day and read the sunday papers!
Turkish Magpie
Apr 10, 2009 at 9:20 PM
Comment #49Stuart, thats one of the best feelings in the world 😀
daffy
Apr 10, 2009 at 9:38 PM
Comment #50ever thought of seeing a physchiatrist troy?
sahota
Apr 10, 2009 at 9:44 PM
Comment #51We will win guys 3-1 Toon army will win tomorrow.
daffy
Apr 10, 2009 at 9:44 PM
Comment #52sunderland have prob the easier games than newcastle & while noone can see us getting anything from the man u game , hull at home west brom away even bolton away & everton at home are achievable.
Widowmaker
Apr 10, 2009 at 9:46 PM
Comment #53It will be a massive game for us. To be honest, I am not very confident about it but I do feel that a legend like Alan Shearer belongs to success and he will take us to safety.
Turkish Magpie
Apr 10, 2009 at 9:51 PM
Comment #54daffy, do the bbc score predictor, honestly, u’re going down!!!!!!
daffy
Apr 10, 2009 at 9:54 PM
Comment #55na weve been here before & can handle the pressure , think it could be yous along with west brom & the smoggies.
daffy
Apr 10, 2009 at 10:07 PM
Comment #56nufc last 7 games ;
stoke possible 1 point
spurs 0 points
pompey 3 points
liverpool 0 points
boro prob 3 points
fulham 1 point
villa 0 points
total 37 points = relegated
Doocey
Apr 10, 2009 at 10:18 PM
Comment #57Any news lads?
Turkish Magpie
Apr 10, 2009 at 10:34 PM
Comment #58daffy-
why you so pessimistic, injurys are cleaning up and i rekon a fit squad for A Villa will fight for that point for safety
nufc last 7 games ;
stoke possible 1 point
spurs 0 points
pompey 3 points
liverpool 0 points
boro prob 3 points
fulham 3 points
villa 1 point
total 40 points = Stay up
Turkish Magpie
Apr 10, 2009 at 10:35 PM
Comment #59Doocey-
On what?
JP...from The Rock
Apr 10, 2009 at 10:38 PM
Comment #60This match decides our fate!!
Doocey
Apr 10, 2009 at 10:38 PM
Comment #61Anything! haha
New articles up on my site if you fancy a change of scenery loL!
I’m off for the night lads.
See you lot tomorrow for the game that makes or breaks our season.
AlanSmith.
Apr 10, 2009 at 10:40 PM
Comment #62ladzzzz… toon to winn tomorrow.. and give a statement to the rest of the footballing worlddd!! omg im buzziiing… this has been the best day of my liife.. the two most important people have come back into my life todaaayy.. [except of course for my wonderful mother and father] becca and james.. the two most influential people in my lifeee .. im hoping my beloved newcastle dont bring me down off this high tomorrow.. that would just ruin mee… i ammm absoultly buzzziiingg.. howay the laddssss… tomorrow is d-day for the toon this season..
Hoppefot
Apr 10, 2009 at 11:07 PM
Comment #63Not the end of the world, I think, if we lose/draw @ Stoke. Still think Hull will be going down this year, along with Boro & WBrom.
Newcastle (29p)
1p – Stoke (B)
0p – Tottenham (B)
3p – Pompey (H)
0p – Liverpool (B)
3p – Middlesbrough (H)
3p – Fulham (H)
1p – Villa (B)
=40 points -> SAFE!
Hull City (34p)
0p – Middlesbrough (B)
0p – Sunderland (B)
0p – Liverpool (H)
0p – Villa (B)
1p – Stoke (H)
1p – Bolton (B)
0p – Man Utd (H)
=36 points -> Relegation!
Sunderland (32p)
0p – Man Utd (H)
3p – Hull (H)
1p – West Brom (H)
1p – Everton (H)
1p – Bolton (B)
1p – Pompey (B)
0p – Chelsea (H)
=40 points -> ??
Even the Mackems could go down…
Hoppefot
Apr 10, 2009 at 11:08 PM
Comment #64Sry, 39 points for Sunderland
Hoppefot
Apr 10, 2009 at 11:10 PM
Comment #65Heh, just saw that Turkish had the exact same predictions as I had posted a week ago on a Norwegian site. Gotta be something in it I hope:)
AndyNUFC
Apr 11, 2009 at 12:11 AM
Comment #66Ed. Long post here; very special thank you to continuing on the site till the end of the season, I love this website, and won’t know where to go after it closes!
BUT! I have to say, you’ve kinda jumped on the bandwagon that’s destroyed the club a little. Titus Bramble. Playing fantastically for Wigan now, because he’s got nothing to lose and therefore confidence is up and the fans back him.
Please, can everyone just realises that an ARGENTINIAN INTERNATIONAL does NOT become rubbish overnight. He needs support, this is his first season! Because he had a bad game last week does not mean he should be dropped. What’s gonna impact more, Alan Shearer telling him he has full faith and confidence that he will play great against Stoke, or dropping him and writing him off completely? If we drop him now then we kill his confidence and show him that one game (against CHELSEA!) in a new country and in a debut season means he shoudl be dropped/sold whatever.
People, do the right thing, and back
Geremi/ Edgar – Beye – Coloccini – Bassong
To play against Stoke.
Ed, i’d really really appreciated if you wrote an article about how important it is to back Coloccini. We back the club and the general team when we lose a game, so why not our record signing centre back?
Marty-Toon
Apr 11, 2009 at 7:23 AM
Comment #67Andy-Toon
1 He is too slow
2 He is always found out of position
3Doesn`t take the easy option n try boot it into the crowd-gives the opposition chances
4He has played every game so maybe he needs a rest
5hungrier players waiting on the bench
Marty-Toon
Apr 11, 2009 at 7:27 AM
Comment #68We will struggle today if we play Oba and MO together.
We don`t create anything for the small guys
No good letting Andy come in at 70 mins the game (and the season)could be long over.
I hope i am wrong and hope the lads come out today playing out of their skins.
SPIDEY for a goal today maybe and Ryan Taylor from a free kick
Howay the lads
shearerwonderland.
Apr 11, 2009 at 7:30 AM
Comment #69ranger will be on the bench
its nile rangers birthday today
a goal on his debut is surely needed
Widowmaker
Apr 11, 2009 at 9:34 AM
Comment #70Andy, I agree that we must back and support Colo. Nonetheless, it is wrong to just play him regardless of his form imho. These are two things.
Would you take it if Golden Brown tells you that he can only fix the economy if he has the full support of all British ppl?
ToonRich
Apr 11, 2009 at 11:27 AM
Comment #71shearerwonderland, I hope Nile will be on the bench & get at least 20mins if not a little longer as I think he’ll be even more of a threat than big Andy.
Has there been any indications yet as to the formation/starting lineup?