Chris Hughton has done his homework for the upcoming game against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Monday night.
Chris Hughton – will have lads well prepared for Red Devils
Chris has admitted he was at the Community Shield game last Sunday at Wembley – where the Red Devils took on the Champions Chelsea, and that was in preparation for the Newcastle encounter on Monday night:
“I was at the Community Shield, but it just re-iterates everything you know about Manchester United.”
“The bench they had was incredibly strong.” “They’re a very strong outfit and, as I say, you only have to look at the bench to see that.”
“It shows what they are and, along with Chelsea, they’re one of the strongest teams in the country at the moment.”
In their last game against Manchester United on 4th March, 2009, the lads went down 2-1 at St. James’ Park, but not before going ahead in that game with a goal from Peter Lovenkrands, following a rare Edwin van der Sar error.
Newcastle were absolutely scintillating in the first 30 minutes of that game, and played as though their lives depended on it, but they just couldn’t keep it up.
And the last time we played at Old Trafford we got a very creditable 1-1 draw in August of 2008, after again going ahead in the first half of that game, and of course the great Kevin Keegan was then the Newcastle United manager.
Hughton assisted Kevin Keegan in that particular game, in which Jonas Gutierrez was the choice of the Newcastle players, on his debut for the Newcastle club.
Chris continued:
“I was on the bench two years ago. What you can take from that is that any team is capable of going to Old Trafford on the opening day of the season and getting something.”
“It should be no different now. What you are relying on is Man United not having the best of days and us playing well.”
“You’ll have to have a clear few elements going in our favour to get something.”
That’s what we need to see – a Newcastle side willing to fight for everything, and a Manchester United side a little off color on the night, and then we could even get something out of the game, which would constitute a terrific start to the season for the Newcastle club.
Comments welcome.
18 comments so far
Jan Stavik
Aug 13, 2010 at 1:28 PM
Comment #190 % sure we’ll loose this game. I predict a 3-0 win for Manure. We’re too weak at the back, our midfield lacks pace and I’m surprised if our attackers are able to cause the top defences any trouble.
That said, there are a lot of weak teams in PL. I’m happy with 12-14 place, with no money it’s hard to compete these days.
a.l 9
Aug 13, 2010 at 1:31 PM
Comment #2So Bellamy could be off to Fulham now, SURELY we are more of an interest than Fulham!
But yeah, he is apparntly too old so we won’t buy the lad (or anyone else who will improve our squad for that matter).
Robbie Keane another one who could leave his club, again another one who would vastly improve our squad. Apparantly too old though… (This is f-ing tiresome now.)
Hopefully we have others lined up, but if not it’s players like these who will will look back and thing “why the fook did we not sign him when we had the chance?”
RichK
Aug 13, 2010 at 1:37 PM
Comment #3I too think we’ll lose 3-0. I can’t see us causing them too much trouble at all. We’re in a worse position now in terms of number of players than we were last game of last season. We’re missing Taylor, Kadar, Simpson and Best, Pancrate and Butt have left and although we’ve brought in 3 new faces only one of them is fit and available. Our bench will be very weak on Monday unless we manage to bring in a couple of faces over the weekend which is very unlikely.
Still, it’s not the games away at Man Utd that will count come end of the season so I’m not too worried at the minute.
Adssy Mccc
Aug 13, 2010 at 1:39 PM
Comment #4Jan Stavik – unfortunetely I think you are quite right with that prediction. Couldn’t of asked for a tougher start really. I hope we’re wrong – but the odds are stacked well against us on this occasion. We need to hope that we don’t get battered 4 or 5 nil because if we do that will affect our confidence in the crucial part of the season (The opening 4-5 games).
a.l 9
Aug 13, 2010 at 1:40 PM
Comment #5Man U tend to start off on the wrong foot at the start of the season so i’m clinging on to that shred of optamism, if they fly out of the traps though we don’t stand a chance and it could be an embarassing scoreline.
MacToon
Aug 13, 2010 at 1:48 PM
Comment #6Rumours around that Hargrieves will retire from football… shame really and man U will cash in on insurance.
Gonna be a tough game with backs against the wall for large portions of it. We need to pass the ball around without giving it away too easily if we are to have any chance of a result.
Just hope we put on a good show.
deeeeeeano
Aug 13, 2010 at 1:55 PM
Comment #7I think we will see the most defensive newcastle team for a long long time. Hopefully a display like the 0.0 at chelsea season before last can inspire the troops. Just needs concentration for the whole game, problem with us is that year in year out with whatever team we have had we tend to switch off at vital times and get punished more than most. 89 minutes of inspirational defending ruined by a minute of mayhem.
Haway the lads
xfer
Aug 13, 2010 at 2:03 PM
Comment #8Not expecting anything from this game. Anything but a defeat is a great start!
Doha Mag
Aug 13, 2010 at 2:31 PM
Comment #9We’ll likely lose but I expect CH to play a very defensive team with Nolan supporting Carroll from mid field in a 4-4-1-1 system
I don’t expect CH to play 2 wingers; so expect a midfield of Barton, Smith (if available), Guthrie and Jonas for the first half…..
Routeledge, Lovenkrands, Vudic, (Ameobi or Xisco), Taylor, Krull and Taverner will be on the bench unless we bring in some one new over the weekend.
The bench looks weak and not much cover in defense or midfield until Sol, Steve Taylor, Kadar, Gosling, etc return.
Rich TOON Bristol
Aug 13, 2010 at 2:32 PM
Comment #10think we could maybe ascrape a draw if we play this lineup
playing in a 9-0-1 formation, in fact with the huge team strengthening thats been going on i think we could use this formation in all away games possibly?
harps
perch raylor kadar collo willo tavernier barton smudger enrique
carroll
NUFC_Richyg01
Aug 13, 2010 at 2:34 PM
Comment #11@ Jan Stavik (1)
Happy with 12 – 14???
With our squad you need to say you will be happy with survival!
I know we will loose to Manure, BUT I wont mind as long as there are signs we are gonna play and put up a fight, if there are no signs of that then we are screwed.
NUFC_Richyg01
Aug 13, 2010 at 2:36 PM
Comment #12? Rich TOON Bristol (9)
Is Carroll Playing in Nolan’s role there, rather than committing him as an out and out striker, just in case we get short at the back!?
Rich TOON Bristol
Aug 13, 2010 at 2:38 PM
Comment #13yea think he’d be best off sitting just infront of the back 9 incase he’s needed!lol
NUFC_Richyg01
Aug 13, 2010 at 2:40 PM
Comment #14I think I wold play a 5 – 3 – 1 – 1
*************** Harper ****************
*
R Taylor * Perch * Collo * Willo * Enrique
*
**** Routledge *** Barton *** Jonas *****
*
***************** Nolan ***************
*
***************** Carroll **************
BlacknWhite Barmy
Aug 13, 2010 at 2:56 PM
Comment #15As we start another season the fatone has once again stuffed it to the fans 1.5 million investment in a team with no creativity, oace or recognised strikers. We have all been looking at the signing of Ben Arfa as the ‘final piece of the jigsaw’ – 2 years ago it was Modric and look what happend there.
Of the squad that saw us up last year we have lost 2 and gained three ( two of whom cant play as they are injured or unfit). All in all we are in a shite state and fat ash and co pocket the cash. Sell out crowds, reduced wage bill, fewer coaches/ scouts, sky money, new shirt sponsor, new shirt supplier, sale of Obi, Milner et al and stll they bleat on about loosing money – WE ARE MUGS IF WE TAKE THIS SHIT
AND and AS FOR ‘Barton is like sighing a new player’ GET REAL – HE WILL GET SENT OF AT OT
G-Man
Aug 13, 2010 at 3:04 PM
Comment #16Sept 11 is when we’ll get our first point, Blackpool at home……
roe997
Aug 13, 2010 at 3:16 PM
Comment #17blacknwhitebarmy
i think you have a point there like,dnt forget money from bassong.8mil.given 8mil.duff 4miletc.there are facts that not the fans are aware of,money kept hush hush.ffs people,we are one of the biggest clubs in the world at generating our own income,FACT!!! Merchendise new sponsers tv money,transfer money sell out crowds and stil a 1.5mil investment?hes use this for his main interest,to keep sports direct going!ffs the sponser frm puting sports direct into nufc will be generating millions!he aint bothered bout us,his only football interest is the spuds!funny how he buys us,we go down they get champs leauge! Well av seen levy at sjp many a time with fma,n wouldnt surprize me if hes funding them cocknew wnkrz!
baro
Aug 13, 2010 at 7:30 PM
Comment #18We need 2 new faces as soon as possible b4 monday game.