Alan Smith will be the captain of Newcastle today in the absence of Nicky Butt who misses out because of the hand injury picked up during the pre-season victory over Darlington.
If we were to be completely honest we have no idea how Newcastle will fair this afternoon at the Hawthorns.
Of course the last time we were there was dramatics with then manager Joe Kinnear taking sick before the game with heart trouble, no doubt caused by the stresses of the job as Newcastle manager.
The lads went on to win that game 3-2, and that was one of only two times this year we won a game in the Premier League, along with the 3-1 Middlesbrough home win in the 3rd last game of the season. But both sides, WBA and Newcastle, ended up relegated, along with Middlesbrough.
Newcastle will be missing Nicky Butt and Danny Guthrie through injury but most of our other players that are left after the departure of Martins, Bassong and Beye over the last week.
We expect Chris to field the following Newcastle side:
Harper
Taylor R Coloccini Taylor S Enrique
Duff Barton Smith (c) Guttierez
Carroll Nolan
Subs: Krul Tozer Kadar LuaLua Geremi Ameobi Ranger
We have seen Kadar play exceptionally well at center-back and we’d really like to see him start in place of Coloccini but we think Chris will plump for the Argentine because of his experience.
And we’d be surprised if Andy Carroll gets the start in front of Shola Ameobi, but that’s what we’d like to see.
We also hope that young Nile Ranger is on the bench today, and gets to make his debut for the club, as this lad can help us this season, if he continues his phenomenal development of last year, after we signed him from Southampton.
West Brom striker Ishmael Miller is out with a cruciate problem, while midfielder James Morrison is doubtful with a heel injury, and winger Chris Brunt is also a doubt after picking up a thigh injury in training.
But both sets of fans will no doubt be united in the tribute being held to the great footballing life of the late, great, Sir Bobby Robson, who of course managed Newcastle for 5 years and played for the Albion.
Sir Bobby spent six years, between 1956 and 1962, at West Bromwich Albion, and managed Newcastle to great success from 1999-2004.
Former Albion team mates will be at the game today to honor Sir Bobby, and tributes will be led by Don Howe, Graham Williams and Derek Kevan. Also present will be Brian Whitehouse, Roy Horobin, Alec Jackson, John Lovatt, Brian Macready, Stuart Williams, Stan Jones, Keith Smith, David Burnside and Chuck Drury.
There will be one minutes applause for Sir Bobby before the game and the pre-match music will be changed to feature the tunes chosen by Sir Bobby when he appeared on Desert Island Disks.
A fitting tribute indeed to the great man, who died on July 31st.
Comments welcome.
83 comments so far
newcastle29
Aug 8, 2009 at 11:50 AM
Comment #1i expect this to be a cracking game and hope we get off to a good start!
Toon_Factor
Aug 8, 2009 at 12:03 PM
Comment #2Lualua should start
SBR4EVA
Aug 8, 2009 at 12:03 PM
Comment #3…what I said on the last page…
COME AAAAARRRRRRRNNNNNNNNN!
Mac
Aug 8, 2009 at 12:04 PM
Comment #4We are doomed. I tell u what i can see though,there is definately a red card somewhere. Barton,Nolan or our captain Smith. Get the odds from Paddy power for a red acrd and lump on.
Lancelot
Aug 8, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Comment #5Rumour has it Andy Carroll has been turned down for the number 9 shirt as they are saving it for a certain Mr Shearer, who is better than most of the championship strikers even at his age!
Turkish Magpie
Aug 8, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Comment #6Howay the lads!!!
I’ve got that rare feeling that we’re going to win today!!
And my feelings are rarely wrong 😉
shrews mag
Aug 8, 2009 at 12:09 PM
Comment #7‘pre-match music will be changed to feature the tunes chosen by Sir Bobby when he appeared on Desert Island Disks.’
nice touch … should be a great atmosphere … can’t wait … SBR4EVA // Aug 8, 2009 at 12:03 PM … enough said …
Turkish Magpie
Aug 8, 2009 at 12:09 PM
Comment #8actually i herd a rum0ur that Carroll was turned down the number 9 shirt because a new signing was getting it.
The words “new signing” show it’s a rumour as will we even sign any1?
Lancelot
Aug 8, 2009 at 12:09 PM
Comment #9And why the hell would Duff be on the left wing and Gutierrez on the right, surely the other way round?
Unless we’re going to play very direct and narrow football….
Lancelot
Aug 8, 2009 at 12:11 PM
Comment #10Yeah Turkish Magpie,
They like to save the 9 & 10 shirts because they are quite an attractive assett when they are negotiating, rather than offering them number 43 or something!
Obviously the 9 shirt at St James’ is pretty important!
chuck
Aug 8, 2009 at 12:16 PM
Comment #11I could see Kadar comming on late to give him a taste of the fizzy league, but to suggest he replace Colo. is silly.
Yes it`s a long season and there will be need for young legs (more perspiration than inspiration)
in this league and we may see the developement of some of our young guns.
Could be an ideal opportunity for some to show what they can do, though agewise most are not quite ready.
Should be an interesting season, we can only hope for instant promotion and the developement of our kids, but then there`s the Leyton Orient result to dwell on ?
ginkoh
Aug 8, 2009 at 12:16 PM
Comment #12I can’t wait for this !! Hope we will see the good game tonight. At least we can forgot any awful thing about Ashley.
geordie deb
Aug 8, 2009 at 12:17 PM
Comment #13Any of the usual bloggers from Oz on here? if so do you know if they’re showing the game on any channel in Sydney and if so what time? Ta. Failing that any links anyone?
Rangerman
Aug 8, 2009 at 12:18 PM
Comment #14OMG WER SOO RUBISH!
Paul141726
Aug 8, 2009 at 12:21 PM
Comment #15Finally!! It’s time to put all the off-field crap to the side and start the games. This one–I’ll be optimistic and say 2-1 with S. Taylor getting the winner. HTL
Charlie Toon
Aug 8, 2009 at 12:30 PM
Comment #16At last!! After a whole 2 and a bit months without regular football, it’s back! I’ve been looking forward to this day for what seems like a life time.
Don’t really know what to expect from the match today, the first couple of matches never mean anything, but it’s always good to get off to a winning start.
Pre-season hasn’t been that bad apart from a minor blip which was well documented. And IMO it seems to have brought the players closer together!
We have the potential to win today but I won’t be too dis-heartened if we lose! Anyway can’t wait for the match and it will be interesting to hear watch Shearer has to say on the BBC coverage.
My prediction: 2-1 to us!
Ericles
Aug 8, 2009 at 12:34 PM
Comment #17I think the number 9 shirt should be retired until we really do get somebody worth giving it to. Today I will still have that lifelong feeling of pride when I see our lads playing (even if it is awful). Strange to say but that is what being an NUFC fan is about – it also justifies the anger, contempt, bitter hatred and venomous ire I have towards fat Ashley. They seek him here, they seek him there, they seek him everywhere. Those frustrated buyers seek Ashley everywhere. Will he go, will he stay, hang on to further the ruin of NUFC everyday? That’s an idea – off with his head, chopper first!
doofa the loofa
Aug 8, 2009 at 12:35 PM
Comment #18word is that a certain kevin keegan will be at the game today…
anyone know who he is?
Stuart79
Aug 8, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Comment #19Shearer talking about Moat.
He hasn’t discussed the job with Moat!
NDA yada yada yada!
komfort
Aug 8, 2009 at 12:38 PM
Comment #20newcastle & gateshead both to win today…pays about 9/1….lump on.
doofa the loofa
Aug 8, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Comment #21well today is walk the walk time.
i think we will be some way off being a good championship side. hope i’m wrong mind you.(have been before like, but being a bloke, not often;) )
come on the toon….
MacToon
Aug 8, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Comment #22Yep Shearer on football focus, said he hadn’t spoke with our owner since the Tuesday after we were relegated, hasn’t spoke with Moat about the job but he’d still love to be Newcastle manager.
Our owner is an absolute disgrace,
Good luck for the match and lets hope there is some unity and lets play for Sir Bob and play with some Geordie pride for once.
Bill F
Aug 8, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Comment #23I have to say that if I was the WBA manager I would be looking at our lineup and thinking this could be a tough match under any management team we put them out under. I think a touch of optimism is in order. Defence is probably key to us in this game, no silly goals please.
Bill F
Aug 8, 2009 at 12:46 PM
Comment #24Komfort, yeah I would love to see Gateshead do well, interesting to see they will be playing the new revitalised Wimbledon at some point this season. Goes to show dunnit.
Robby Bobson
Aug 8, 2009 at 12:49 PM
Comment #25West Brom are a good passing team with Koren and Valero but they are very poor at the back and seeing as they have lost there most solid defender in paul robsinson if we get at them then we should win.
Surely Xisco isnt that bad that Nolan has too play up front? The team Ed put most likely seems right judging by the photos of training on toon website.
Bill F
Aug 8, 2009 at 12:52 PM
Comment #26Oh yeah and Luton!!!!!
AussieToon
Aug 8, 2009 at 12:56 PM
Comment #27geordie deb – Fox Sports will be covering it from 2.25am!
danuneek
Aug 8, 2009 at 12:56 PM
Comment #28As long as we avoid relegation that will be good. If Ashley had brought Shearer in perminantly and let him get on with it, I reckon we’d be going back up with ease this season and then he could have put us up for sale next season. But wait, why would he do something that makes so much sense? The man should never be allowed back in Newcastle under punishment of stoning.
Swanx
Aug 8, 2009 at 12:57 PM
Comment #29GK: Krul
RB : R Taylor
CB : S Taylor
CB : Kadar
LB : Enrique
RW : Guttierez
CM : Nolan
CM : Barton
LW : Duff
CF : Ranger
CF : Smith
Can’t see any other team winning it against WBA apart from this.
Toonmania
Aug 8, 2009 at 12:58 PM
Comment #30xisco kid might just do well in the fizzy, i think we will win 2-1 today, and with the news being realeased later this evening that we have been sold would make a great start to the fizzy season this is only my prediction for the day not official
Bill F
Aug 8, 2009 at 1:05 PM
Comment #31danuneek, do you think there would be many voluteers to be part of the stoning squad? 😉
Bill F
Aug 8, 2009 at 1:06 PM
Comment #32“volunteers”
punk skunk...
Aug 8, 2009 at 1:13 PM
Comment #33Shearer’s NOT allowed to say anythin’ he knows!..
punk skunk...
Aug 8, 2009 at 1:14 PM
Comment #34We need some Geordie Passion more than Geordie Pride right now!..
…Pride before a (further) fall, & all that!..
MacToon
Aug 8, 2009 at 1:19 PM
Comment #35In the context, pride or proud of the association with Sir Bobby and the hope that there’s some unity with the players on and off the pitch but passion would be a plus too.
Hugh Jorgan
Aug 8, 2009 at 1:21 PM
Comment #36Stone Ashley, and then tar and feather him.
Tom4Nufc
Aug 8, 2009 at 1:24 PM
Comment #37Chill Out Hugh, we are not the bloody KKK!!!
Anyway, got a good feeling for tonight!!! HOWAY THE LADS!!!
baro
Aug 8, 2009 at 1:27 PM
Comment #38Guys all i am telling you is don’t forget who Jonas Gutierrez is.
Toonmania
Aug 8, 2009 at 1:28 PM
Comment #39that would be to good for ashley anyway, he needs a long slow painful end to him just like he has done to us.
MacToon
Aug 8, 2009 at 1:28 PM
Comment #40Who’s he Baro?