Surprisingly, Andy Carroll has been left out of Newcastle United’s starting line-up for this afternoon’s game at Manchester City.
Andy Carroll is on the bench this afternoon for the important game at Eastlands, and we have to think that Shola Ameobi has been impressive in training this week.
He certainly had a great game in the 4-3 win at Chelsea 10 days ago, when he scored a couple of goals, and once again manager Chris Hughton has shown he’s not afraid to drop top players.
Of course it comes at a bad time for Andy to be dropped, after he is likely to get his first full England call-up tomorrow.
And, as half expected, Wayne Routledge has also been dropped and Argentine Jonas Gutierrez comes into the starting line-up, and we expect Ben Arfa now to play on the right wing for Newcastle this afternoon.
Jonas was also in top form in that Chelsea game and has earned this start.
Former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given is again on the bench, and former Newcastle fan Alan Johnson is sitting beside him.
Howay The Lads!! – we need some points!
TEAMS:
Manchester City: Hart; Boeting, Kolo Toure, Kompany, Lescott: Milner, Silva, DeJong, Barry, Yaha Toure; Tevez (c)
Subs: Given Vieria Santa Cruz Johnson (A) Boyata Adebayor Jo
Newcastle United: Krul; Perch, Williamson, Coloccini, Enrique; Gutierrez, Tiote, Barton, Ben Arfa; Nolan (c); Ameobi.
Subs: Soderberg Campbell Smith Routledge Taylor (R) Carroll Lovenkrands
Referee: Martin Atkinson
285 comments so far
Brazilian Geordie
Oct 3, 2010 at 4:22 PM
Comment #281Brave match by the players, but again conceding late goals. Also, A. Johnson playing through the diagonals and cutting inside to shoot is just as obvious as Kenwyne Jones heading balls all over the pitch.
I would have loved to see another game. A game which I could see Ben Arfa playing for us. Though, as soon as he left the field, my only hope was to secure a draw, and just due to one reason: Perch doesn’t support the attack, he’s aim is just to defend – sth he did pretty well today imo – and Routledge doesn’t get as much balls as Jonas and isn’t also the same quality. Everyone knew Newcastle would play just through the left and, as soon as City realised they could be in trouble with this – especially after Gutierrez goal – they moved all their players over there to neutralize us. Jonas and Enrique were good as always but they just couldn’t do anything at a certain stage of the match because again we didn’t have a decent right side to help them.
And so, due to the lack of options, as had happened many times in past seasons, we didn’t have quality to go all out and score in a game where City were quite helpless.
Maybe we should have ended the first half a goal ahead, or maybe we just could have won if the referee wasn’t so ridiculous.
okkurtgarvilt
Oct 3, 2010 at 4:23 PM
Comment #282Toon XI
get a grip man! Where are you getting this from? they are not loosing confidence, the team played well today and at least deserved a point, but the ref was totally against us.
Why don’t you lighten up a bit and start supporting your team like a prober fan!!
Toon XI
Oct 3, 2010 at 6:51 PM
Comment #283I am supporting my team. I am stating what I think is beginning to set in. Did I say they played poorly and were rubbish? No. I posted what I think is happening and that us all. I am a realist and believe that if we don’t perform against wigan and west ham it will a deep hole to dig out of later. Where in my statement did I slag off the team?
Toon XI
Oct 3, 2010 at 6:53 PM
Comment #284Munch27
You have zero class.
munch27
Oct 3, 2010 at 7:17 PM
Comment #285Glad too hear that ToonXI as your’e opinion of me matters nought.