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
baro
Aug 8, 2009 at 1:30 PM
Comment #41He is the only newcastle player that at least counter attacks than he puts the ball to carroll or to Ranger and they blast it in.
baro
Aug 8, 2009 at 1:32 PM
Comment #42http://atdhe.net/8352/watch–west-brom-vs-newcastle-united
Whoever doesn’t have a link or something you should watch it on here. You don’t have to thank me. LOL!
MacToon
Aug 8, 2009 at 1:32 PM
Comment #43lol hope ur right and I do agree I think he, if he stays, could do well for us this season.
IrishMan
Aug 8, 2009 at 1:33 PM
Comment #44Interesting article, and conclusion probably accurate:
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2009/0808/1224252236480.html
Cooper
Aug 8, 2009 at 1:35 PM
Comment #45How do you need a link its on BBC 1 – all you need is a tv – im sure you watch bbc1 online anyway?
baro
Aug 8, 2009 at 1:37 PM
Comment #46Guys you have to see this. You will crack up badly!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qAWWqyfx50
baro
Aug 8, 2009 at 1:37 PM
Comment #47cooper
i’m just sayin if somebody didn’t have it.
MacToon
Aug 8, 2009 at 1:48 PM
Comment #48http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/8191320.stm
Just incase anyone missed Shearer on the BBC thisafternoon.
Bill F
Aug 8, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Comment #49Just as a matter of curiosity, why does a hand injury stop Butt playing? I remember having someone step on my hand during a game. Dislocated three fingers, I popped them back and continued playing, kids today!!
hitman
Aug 8, 2009 at 1:50 PM
Comment #50anyone else having trouble getting on the blog,keeps sending me to the mobile section ,ed sort it out man.
Toon_Factor
Aug 8, 2009 at 1:51 PM
Comment #51Bill F
Does it really matter? the main thing is he cant play and fcuk things up like he normally does, so stop complaining!
komfort
Aug 8, 2009 at 2:14 PM
Comment #52bill f , just ignore toon factory…he’s just a spotty faced wanker with no respect for anyone..
….reet off to watch the heed.
NorthernPaul
Aug 8, 2009 at 2:15 PM
Comment #53Hitman, same for me. It’s bloody annoying!!
baro
Aug 8, 2009 at 2:27 PM
Comment #54http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qAWWqyfx50
Guys watch this
magforlife
Aug 8, 2009 at 2:29 PM
Comment #55Butt isnt playing because he smells a move to Wolves, no doubt when he moves he will use the off field antics as a smokescreen. Hope he does move but it shows how desperate some teams are to make signings.
Ericles
Aug 8, 2009 at 2:30 PM
Comment #56Nolan up front? Smith in midfield? Hey Hughton when are you going to pick a proper team instead of Jokin Here’s nose?
baro
Aug 8, 2009 at 2:38 PM
Comment #57Has anybody here known the new way to get out of newcastle?
Well all they do now is fake a injury and once they move out they are perfect.
Shay Given –
Charles N’Zogbia-( i still think he would of been good if JK wasn’t there.
Sebastian Bassong-
Habib Beye-
Now i’m guessing………….
Nicky Butt
baro
Aug 8, 2009 at 2:39 PM
Comment #58Also if anybody noticed fat Viduka signed on a one year deal with Portsmouth.
magforlife
Aug 8, 2009 at 2:47 PM
Comment #59Portsmouth have thrown the towel in before the season has started, get your money on them being bottom of the league, certs.
Pedro
Aug 8, 2009 at 2:55 PM
Comment #60How can hes sign he’s on holiday? Anyway they want to check on his fitness first………..HA
baro
Aug 8, 2009 at 2:55 PM
Comment #61http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=665955&sec=europe&cc=5901
Very funny its abpout a spanish team that was sold for ………….
Alex
Aug 8, 2009 at 3:02 PM
Comment #62Lancelot @9
Too right m8 , everyone knows that Enrique and jonas played thier best football last season when they played together down the left side of the field . If those 2 are not sold and play a long run of games together , then our left side will be the best in this division . Enrique will show what he is capable of .
miloflembo
Aug 8, 2009 at 3:08 PM
Comment #63Anyone else feel physically sick not seeing Beye at right back, Cause I do.
Waldo P. Barnstormer
Aug 8, 2009 at 3:08 PM
Comment #64Enrique was turning into one of the better LB’s in the Prem last term so should be one of the top 2 or 3 in this league.
geordie deb
Aug 8, 2009 at 3:13 PM
Comment #65Aussie Toon
Thanks a million for the info. Just checked the hotel has the channel and it has yyyeeeesssss!!!
Howay the Toon……
Trent Toon
Aug 8, 2009 at 3:20 PM
Comment #66Im a 17 year old Australian boy, living near brisbane and i love this club. I havent missed a game in 2 years, i watched and suffered in pain last year. Every game is televised at about 2-3 am in the morning and yet i still put my alarm on and watch it, In fact whenever Newcastle scores i can only jump around and cheer in silence because the rest of my family is asleep. I will be up in a few hours ready for kick off with my toon shirt and scarf ready. I will only be able to watch 5-6 games this season though compared to 38 last season. It breaks my heart to see this happening to our club. But it fuels my passion to keep supporting the lads, keep the faith and keep the desire to return to the glory days. Up the toon!
Howay the lads!!
Chris G
Aug 8, 2009 at 3:23 PM
Comment #67hitman // Aug 8, 2009 at 1:50 PM
anyone else having trouble getting on the blog,keeps sending me to the mobile section ,ed sort it out man.
NorthernPaul // Aug 8, 2009 at 2:15 PM
Hitman, same for me. It’s bloody annoying!!
Yeah, I had the same problem a while ago –
what I did was to change the link to –
http://www.nufcblog.com/category/newcastle-news/
and it seemed to solve the problem
Bill F
Aug 8, 2009 at 3:31 PM
Comment #68Toon Factor, naah I aint complaining I have never been one of his greatest fans either. Just wondering why a hand injury would stop him playing (his version of) football. It was an attempt at humour, dunno why I bother although its nice to see a response to one of my comments. 🙂
Big Dave
Aug 8, 2009 at 3:43 PM
Comment #69Bill F @49 they dont make them like they used to mate
Alex
Aug 8, 2009 at 3:44 PM
Comment #70Bill F at least its his hand thats injured , Marcelino was out for nearly the entire time he was here and it was just his thumb that was broken . shame its not his leg tho , then we would know for definate that we would not see him in the black and white for a while . 🙂
Big Dave
Aug 8, 2009 at 3:46 PM
Comment #71Alex @62 I agree with you mate they play well together, and i think when Jonas scores his 1st he will start knocking a few more in hopefully lol
toonoholic
Aug 8, 2009 at 3:57 PM
Comment #72chopra double for cardiff already
AussieToon
Aug 8, 2009 at 3:59 PM
Comment #73Lovenkrands would be handy next to Carroll today….. anyone know where he is playing at? Has he been picked up by anyone? Going on the Shearer video he might have expected him to stay…
Instead of having Nolan up front, having a pacey striker next to the bruising Andy Carroll would of been ideal.
Chris G
Aug 8, 2009 at 4:09 PM
Comment #74geordie deb
Welcome to Australia 🙂
I hope you have a great time while you’re over here, and let’s hope for a perfect start tonight
Howay the Toon
geordie deb
Aug 8, 2009 at 4:14 PM
Comment #75Hi Chris G
Thanks a lot. Only arrived yesterday morning and unfortunately a short work trip but it’s been fab already. So much to see and do. To hear the Toon are on live on TV here just makes it perfect! Just about to raid the mini bar to calm the nerves for our first game. Howay the Toon
AussieToon
Aug 8, 2009 at 4:17 PM
Comment #76Welcome to Australia geordie deb!! 🙂
Hope we all have a great night!!!!!!!
Howay the toon!
Chris G
Aug 8, 2009 at 4:30 PM
Comment #77AussieToon – my sentiments exactly 🙂
Hey, where are you guys? I’m in Melbourne – are you anywhere nearby?
Alex
Aug 8, 2009 at 4:33 PM
Comment #78Big Dave i think the same about Smith , for some reason that i cant explain , i have a feeling if he was to get on the score sheet for one , then a load of goals will come his way . just like his Leeds days .
Big Dave
Aug 8, 2009 at 4:49 PM
Comment #79Alex funny i feel the same with smith and i would love to see him doing well.
geordie deb win loss or draw just make sure you have a good time lass
AussieToon
Aug 8, 2009 at 4:56 PM
Comment #80Chris G – I am in Melbourne too 🙂