Alan Pardew will have both Fab Coloccini and Mike Williamson back for the game at Birmingham on Saturday.
Mike Williamson – back with Coloccini this Saturday?
And one weakness in the last two games for Newcastle has been the central defense, with one comical goal being conceded in each of those games.
We’ve been really surprised how poor Sol Campbell has played, and he’s made two bad mistakes that have led to opposition goals in the last two games, and we hardly expect him to keep his place on Saturday.
And then there’s Steven Taylor – and if the local lad is going to be leaving the club, we hardly think he should be playing when other long term players are available – unless they want to put Steven in the shop window.
And there’s also goalkeeper Steve Harper back, and apparently he has had a second practice game yesterday – so that’s two he’s played in since returning to training last week.
This is the defense we would play next Saturday, in what is shaping up to be an important game at Birmingham, if only because another 3 points from that game- which is surely possible – we’ll be really flying.
Krul
Simpson Coloccini Williamson Enrique
That assumes that Steven Taylor is not going to sign his new contract, although we really know nothing definite about that yet – since nothing has been announced by the Newcastle club.
And the rest of the team almost picks itself
Barton Nolan Tiote Gutierrez
Carroll Ranger
Nile Ranger looked great in those last 35 minutes on Saturday and his introduction helped to turn the game in Newcastle’s favor, so he may well have earned a starting position alongside big Andy at St. Andrews – and it seems he could (should?) be given a chance.
That’s only our opinion of course of the side for Saturday, so let’s know what team you would play on Saturday at St. Andrews.
Comments welcome.
60 comments so far
GeordieGerman
Dec 14, 2010 at 4:13 PM
Comment #41The Football Association intends to remind Joey Barton ‘of his responsibilities’ but will not be taking any action against him.
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11678_6578177,00.html
Magpies-till-d3ath
Dec 14, 2010 at 4:45 PM
Comment #42For me Lovenkrands hasn’t been our worst player this season, but he hasn’t made an impact in the first team and to me that must mean he’s been dropped to the bench as last season he scored 16 goals, only 3 behind Carroll and mostly started but this year he isn’t so for this reason, instead of Ameobi give Nile Ranger his first Premier League start as he showed a lot of promise when he came on against s####y Liverpool.
HaZ-NUFC
Dec 14, 2010 at 4:49 PM
Comment #43Saturdays team should be;
krul
simpson – taylor – williamson – jose
barton – nolan – tiote – spiderman
ranger – carroll
if everyone is fit which is soon they should play
krul
simpson – taylor – williamson – jose
barton – gosling – tiote – benarfa
ranger – carroll
Geordiedoonsooth
Dec 14, 2010 at 4:58 PM
Comment #44Team for Saturday
Krul
Simpson – S Taylor – Colo – Enrique
Barton – Tiote – Nolan – Jonas
Ranger – Carroll
If S Taylor has rtuned down a contract then play Williamson but S Taylor is a much better CB
magpie6699
Dec 14, 2010 at 5:16 PM
Comment #45I think Colo has had about 12 good games and maybe 2 bad ones so he has to get the nod over Campbell for me. I’m more even about Taylor / Williamson, bearing in mind Staylor is just coming back to match fitness.
GeordieGerman
Dec 14, 2010 at 5:21 PM
Comment #46I thought Ben Arfa would be out till March.
Stuart
Dec 14, 2010 at 5:23 PM
Comment #47@43
How come when anyone puts up their team for when everyones fit, Nolan is never in it. He’s been one of the most important players for us last season and this season and hes the captain, he doesnt deserve, and won’t be dropped IMO.
GeordieGerman
Dec 14, 2010 at 5:25 PM
Comment #48magpie6699, Colo ahead of Sol any day, I think the last two games he played badly in can be put down to tiredness. Three weeks ban may have done him a lot of good.
Stuart
Dec 14, 2010 at 5:26 PM
Comment #49Geordie German, Ed ran a thread a few weeks ago saying HBA might be back at the end of Jan.
GeordieGerman
Dec 14, 2010 at 5:37 PM
Comment #50Stuart, I read it but I still think it will only be a continuation of his rehab. I agree with your post about Nolan. I cannot understand why people keep dropping him. Not the fastest but always in the right place at the right time for the flick ons and a truly loved leader.
Stuart
Dec 14, 2010 at 5:50 PM
Comment #51I wouldnt want to rush HBA back like, but at the same time, the more games we can get him involved in before the end of the season, the more the crowd can let him know how much we want him to stay like.
I’m a big fan of Nolan like, its a given that hes lost his legs to an extent, but because of the way he plays, it doesnt matter, he reads the game really well and is always in the right place at the right time.
Pwnanza
Dec 14, 2010 at 5:55 PM
Comment #52—————————-Krul————————–
Simpson—Williamson——-Collocini—Enrique
—————————Tiote————————–
—————–Barton———-Nolan—————-
Routledge——————————-Lovenkrands
————————–Carroll————————-
GeordieGerman
Dec 14, 2010 at 5:59 PM
Comment #53Even if HBA doesn’t get back till March, I think he will know that we want him to stay. Evening Chronicle past on all our wishes and there is still 8 – 10 games to show he’s wanted.
GeordieGerman
Dec 14, 2010 at 6:03 PM
Comment #54Pwnanza, now that’s an interesting one. Attack… ! You don’t have Pardew’s e-mail?
Magpies-till-d3ath
Dec 14, 2010 at 7:13 PM
Comment #55Where do all of you think Toon will finish this season, I’d reckon between 10th and 14th, can’t really see them getting relegated this year we’ve been better than 08-09, we are only 1 win off the amount we won altogether that year.
GeordieGerman
Dec 14, 2010 at 8:08 PM
Comment #56Magpies-till-d3ath, I don’t care as long as we are above the Mackems and they are at 18th.
swoopingmagpie
Dec 14, 2010 at 9:29 PM
Comment #57we would be foolish to drop Sol. He needs games at his age to get into shape and he will steadily improve. He is the best centre back at the club and we must utilise his experience both on the field and in the dressing room.
bigandysmagichead
Dec 14, 2010 at 10:59 PM
Comment #58off topic does ne1 no if all 3 kits r gonna be changed at the end of the season or if its just gonna be the away and 3rd kits that get changed.
wanna get the home kit xmas. cheers all.
HWTL
toonbrother
Dec 15, 2010 at 8:02 AM
Comment #59he(pardew) would be a FOOL to play colocinni ahead of campbell. Unlike Colocinni campbell plays honestly. For a start he defends crosses better and more importantly he takes responbility for being at the right place at the right time even if that means exposing his frailties. Colocinni is the exact opposite. He never appears to be directly responsible for goals conceded but we always concede with him on the pitch. If we are goiung to replace Campbell with anyone it must be Williamson. If colocinnin plays i guarantee Newcastle will lose
slazberger
Dec 15, 2010 at 10:16 AM
Comment #60@bigandysmagichead – i dont know for definite. but teams have to wear the same home kit for at least 2 seasons and as this is our first with puma i would say it will be the same one next season.