In what is the most important game of the season tonight against 3rd placed Nottingham Forest, Chris Hughton will have a number of selection posers with all players but Steven Taylor being available and ready to go for this vital game.
Newcastle put in an excellent performance last time out at Doncaster when they beat a good side 1-0, and Doncaster had been unbeaten in their previous 6 league games.
But Chris will be changing the side with Mike Williamson now available to play along with Alan Smith, Peter Lovenkrands and Shola Ameobi, who are all fit again and raring to go.
Joey Barton is fit again, and will probably play some part in the second half, depending on how the game goes.
One thing is for sure, and that is the Newcastle bench tonight will be one of the strongest seen on Tyneise for quite a while.
20 year-old Hungarian center back Tamas Kadar really deserves to keep his place, after a Man of the Match performance at Doncaster.
But we think Chris will stick with experience and bring back Mike Williamson to partner Fabricio Coloccini, who has shown such good form and a terrific temperament on Tyneside, and that could be very useful tonight.
We also believe that Chris will stick with the players who have produced for him in recent games, and therefore think that Danny Guthrie will hold onto his position in central midfield, and partner the current acting captain, Kevin Nolan tonight.
That means no place for Nicky Butt or Alan Smith, although their experience could be useful tonight.
Peter Lovenkrands will come back onto the starting line-up to partner Andy Carroll up font and both strikers are in red hot form right now.
Newcastle are likely to start this game like the proverbial steam train tonight in front of an expected full house at St. James’ Park.
This is the team we think Chris will start tonight:
Harper
Simpson Coloccini Williamson Enrique
Routledge Nolan Guthrie Gutierrez
Carroll Lovenkrands
Subs: Krul Kadar Smith Butt Best Barton Pancrate
That’s a good attacking starting eleven and a very strong bench indeed.
It all depends on Newcastle tonight, and if the lads can rise to the occasion they could make tonight a very special night for the ever faithful Newcastle fans, famous for their passion around the world.
It all depends on Newcastle tonight, and if the lads can rise to the occasion they could make tonight a very special occasion for the ever faithful Newcastle fans, famous for their passion around the world.
A win is what we must somehow secure tonight – and then some celebrating can commence.
Then we’ll need to beat Peterborough away on Saturday afternoon, and we should be almost there.
Howay The Lads!!
12 comments so far
NewcastleMole
Mar 29, 2010 at 11:02 AM
Comment #1Predictions: NUFC 2-2 NFFC think it’ll end in a draw but im hoping for a win.
komfort
Mar 29, 2010 at 11:09 AM
Comment #2i would play barton & guthrie in the middle.
…but i doubt nolan will drop himself.
TORONTOON
Mar 29, 2010 at 11:34 AM
Comment #36 pointer. i’d take a draw right now.
chrisf30
Mar 29, 2010 at 11:37 AM
Comment #4forest have lost their last 6 away games it appears. im predicting a draw.
TheShadow
Mar 29, 2010 at 11:42 AM
Comment #5any links for the game lads?
AngerOfTheNorth
Mar 29, 2010 at 12:13 PM
Comment #6A draw would be fine, but a win would be a brilliant result and put us within touching distance of promotion.
I doubt we’ll see Ranger play though. I hear he’s going seriously off the rails.
DevonMag
Mar 29, 2010 at 1:23 PM
Comment #7anger of the north, where did you hear that?
tdt
Mar 29, 2010 at 1:24 PM
Comment #8Taking all the factors into account, I’m betting on a toon win.
We’re in form at home; they have not won away for a while.
We have pretty much a full squad; they have a few injuries.
Since Jan/Feb we have been scoring millions of goals at home, and we will have a record attedence to boot.
It’s all set up for a cracker, lets just hope the players live up to the occasion – which I think they will.
I’m hoping for 5-0, but I’d take 1-0.
Mon the Toon!
lolly
Mar 29, 2010 at 1:43 PM
Comment #9AngerOfTheNorth // Mar 29, 2010 at 12:13 PM
A draw would be fine, but a win would be a brilliant result and put us within touching distance of promotion.
I doubt we’ll see Ranger play though. I hear he’s going seriously off the rails.
**Thats exactly what ive heard aswell, not sure if im allowed to post on here what ive heard about nile as last time I did about Ed removed it!!! but its not good , hughton certainly has a job on his hands calming that young lad down, shame coz he looks like a good prospect for the future**
lolly
Mar 29, 2010 at 1:45 PM
Comment #10oops!! thats meant to say last time i did about ranger Ed removed it !!
TheShadow
Mar 29, 2010 at 3:18 PM
Comment #11is there any links for tonights games
petey
Mar 29, 2010 at 3:43 PM
Comment #12its on sky sports so im quite sure myp2p.eu would have em….