We expect the line-ups for today’s Spurs vs Newcastle game to be announced within about 90 minutes from now.
Oba Martins – asked to play through pain barrier – but he will not
Newcastle manager Alan Shearer is reported to be ready to make a number of late decisions on players, and that’s regarding their fitness.
The news all week is that Shearer has asked striker Obafemi Martins, who has a sore groin, to play through the pain barrier, and defender Steven Taylor (ankle) and striker Peter Lovenkrands (chest infection) only resumed full training on Friday. Shearer will need to ensure there is no reaction from the players, in terms of their fitness.
Left-back Jose Enrique (knee) remains a serious doubt and will not play, but striker Mark Viduka (Achilles) is included in the squad, and is fully expected to be on the subs bench.
Midfielder Joey Barton did not resume full training last week, as expected, and is not included in the squad, but is expected to resume full training this coming week and will certainly be ready for the crucial Portsmouth game a week tomorrow, which has a 8:00 pm kick off.
No doubt we will have a sold-out full house of 52,000 fans there for that game, whatever happens this afternoon. How in heaven’s name did we get ourslelves in this position, with that kind of support?
On the Tottenham side, striker Jermain Defoe could make a quick return to the squad, which would be a surprise, although Roman Pavlyuchenko (back) and former Newcastle player, Jermaine Jenas (hamstring) are struggling to play – and we have to hope both will not make this game – yes we know that’s being selfish.
But remember all’s fair in love and war – and relegation battles.
Unfortunately Wilson Palacios is back from suspension and Alan Hutton (foot) is fit again and both could play. But assuming everybody comes through today – we still expect Alan will start the following Newcastle eleven:
Harper
S. Taylor Beye Bassong Edgar
Duff Barton Butt Gutierrez
Owen (c) Carroll
Subs: Forster Coloccini Guthrie R.Taylor Viduka Ranger Lovenkrands
We just don’t think Martins will play today, mainly because we want to see young Andy Carroll paired with Michael Owen up front, from the start. It seems that Carroll- Owen is a much better striking partnership, which will offer more danger to the Spurs’ defense.
And no room on the bench for Ameobi, Smith, Geremi or Cacapa.
We’ll soon know what the starting eleven will be, and we have to hope we can get a win today, as draws right now are of little use to us.
Comments welcome.
27 comments so far
Rodzilla
Apr 19, 2009 at 11:47 AM
Comment #1WAHEY!
Rodzilla
Apr 19, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Comment #2….you’ve sorted the clock out Ed! Nice one mate, been doing mi heed in for ages. Sure there’ll be more posters now.
Glad to see the boy Carroll start.
Ed
You say…………”Midfielder Joey Barton did not resume full training last week, as expected, and is not included in the squad”
…yet you have him in your starting 11 – got me all excited for a moment, you must mean Nolan?
I’m presuming this is your speculative side anyway. It’d be good to see Spidey start (we may even get to see his mask!!!). I’d definitely not start with Martins though if he’s carrying an injury – can’t see him playing ‘through pain’ too well.
…would be good to see fat boy come on early in the 2nd half too.
HOWAY THE LADS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NUFC Toon Army
Apr 19, 2009 at 11:55 AM
Comment #3aye barton aint playing!
Toon_Factor
Apr 19, 2009 at 11:56 AM
Comment #4You beat me to it
ian
Apr 19, 2009 at 11:57 AM
Comment #5No martins??
In my opinion no win unless Viduka can surprise us. Owen doesnt seem interested to me.
ian
Apr 19, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Comment #6Interested to see what Ranger could do.
estechco
Apr 19, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Comment #7beat me too. Should play Guthrie ahead of Nolan any day
Rodzilla
Apr 19, 2009 at 12:03 PM
Comment #8I’d agree, Guthrie over Nolan for me too.
This news from nufc.com, doesn’t bode too well……
“Spurs go into this game having not conceded a league goal on home soil in the last 417 minutes, since James Beattie netted for Stoke in a 1-3 loss back in January.
And since Harry Redknapp took over at White Hart Lane back in October, his side have been beaten just once there in their ten league games.
That was when Everton left with a 1-0 win, the fourth team to take three points – after the mackems, Villa and Hull did so while Jaunde Ramos was allegedly in charge.
Wigan, Manchester United, Portsmouth and Arsenal have all drawn here, while Bolton, Liverpool, Blackburn, Stoke, the smoggies, Chelsea and West Ham all lost.”
…we do have a pretty good record against them though. Haway! Let’s see 11 Beserkers out there!!
Rodzilla
Apr 19, 2009 at 12:11 PM
Comment #9…wonder where Bennytoon is. No doubt he’ll show up at some point with his usual WUM tactics – reeling in some fishies for his little dishy.
batty
Apr 19, 2009 at 12:18 PM
Comment #10owen looks as fat as viduka
Rodzilla
Apr 19, 2009 at 12:32 PM
Comment #11I think Owen’s just filled out a bit as he’s aged – looks more beefy. No way he’d beat Viduka in a moob contest though.
Rodzilla
Apr 19, 2009 at 12:34 PM
Comment #12Martins and Colo looking to start according to SSN
Dingo†®
Apr 19, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Comment #13does anybody have a live link please?
Rodzilla
Apr 19, 2009 at 12:38 PM
Comment #14Dingo†®
…try:
iraqgoals.com
veetle.com
…they’re the most reliable ones I’ve found, and work on Mac too.
Dingo†®
Apr 19, 2009 at 12:40 PM
Comment #15cheers Rodzilla…..
ToonAllman22
Apr 19, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Comment #162-1 to us, surprises in the tactics
workyticket
Apr 19, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Comment #17Best link for the game by far.
http://www.veetle.com/viewChannel.php?cid=49dd52c1ec520
Rodzilla
Apr 19, 2009 at 12:44 PM
Comment #18No problem Dingo†® – good manners are always worthy of a response for me.
Rodzilla
Apr 19, 2009 at 12:45 PM
Comment #19…yeah, it’s a fine site that worky. I found it when I was looking for Mac-compatible stream sites. Took a while to find but it hits the spot. Easy driver download too.
cosmicMini95
Apr 19, 2009 at 12:46 PM
Comment #20SSN have the possible XI as:
Newcastle: Harper, Beye, Edgar, Bassong, S Taylor, R Taylor, Nolan, Butt, Gutierrez, Owen, Carroll.
One guy on 606 is claiming he has been told thats what it is aswell. If its true I guess it will be 4-4-2 as Ed has but with R.Taylor instead of Duff…
Rodzilla
Apr 19, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Comment #21This is a good link for anyone wanting to learn about streaming sites – it’s what led me to veetle.com
http://soccerlens.com/watch-free-live-football-online/13569/
Obafan
Apr 19, 2009 at 12:50 PM
Comment #22Hope R. Taylor does not start; he is one of our weaknesses.
cosmicMini95
Apr 19, 2009 at 12:53 PM
Comment #23Just confirmed on SSN. Its:
Newcastle: Harper, Beye, Edgar, Bassong, S Taylor, R Taylor, Nolan, Butt, Gutierrez, Owen, Carroll.
Viduka, Guthrie, Martins, Smith on the bench.
Rodzilla
Apr 19, 2009 at 12:53 PM
Comment #24Looks like this?
Harper
R. Taylor Beye S. Taylor Bassong
Duff Nolan Butt Gutierrez
Owen (c) Carroll
workyticket
Apr 19, 2009 at 12:56 PM
Comment #25Rodzilla // Apr 19, 2009 at 12:45 PM
“…yeah, it’s a fine site that worky. I found it when I was looking for Mac-compatible stream sites. Took a while to find but it hits the spot. Easy driver download too.”
Aye Rod. It’s a miles better than the rest because it was developed at one of the best computing universities in the world (Stanford). As you write, it needs a small plugin though.
Right! I’m off to White Hart Lane now. C’mon Toon!
ian
Apr 19, 2009 at 2:33 PM
Comment #26Sorry rodzilla, screen went haywire couldnt get off the mobile screen!!
I would like to see Lovenkrands and Guthrie central midfield.
I like Duff at left back, he may find it tough today though.
Martins needs to be fit for any hope of a win.
Paul141726
Apr 19, 2009 at 3:40 PM
Comment #27Apparently, no Coloccini-doesn’t even make the bench. Interesting.