Newcastle have shot themselves in the foot far too many times this season, and we have thrown too many points away with some terrible defensive play.
If Newcastle can become stronger and steadier at the back, then we could start picking up points up again, and we really need to do that because we’ve picked up just 5 points out of the last 7 games, which is simply not good enough.
But Steven Taylor has looked solid since he’s come back into the side, and his experience could help us close the door at the back.
Steven Taylor and Coloccini looked OK on Sunday, and after the first few minutes they didn’t have all that much to do, as Newcastle went on the offensive big time, once they were 2-0 down.
But of course Newcastle gave the game away with a couple of bad mistakes in the first few minutes and they couldn’t get out of the huge hole they had dug for themselves.
If they do the same think tonight then Spurs will simply bury us, it’s as easy as that, because the London side has so many different attacking options.
Gareth Bale will offer a tremendous challenge to Danny Simpson, and Rafael van der Vaart pops up all over the place to score goals, so he will also be a huge threat to Newcastle’s defense.
We have to think that Pardew will field another 4-5-1 formation, but of course somebody will have to come in for captain Kevin Nolan, who is suspended for this game after picking up his 5th yellow card of the season on Sunday.
Kevin will be a big miss, that’s for sure, and we wonder where the goals will come from if we only have big Andy up front.
We suppose Danny Guthrie could come in for Kevin, but Danny was woeful last time out at WBA, but he will probably relish an opportunity to show Pardew what he can do.
Tim Krul will keep his position in goal, after his first minute howler on Sunday, but only because Steve Harper is not match fit.
So we look to Tim Krul to have a very steady game in goal this afternoon, and just bang those balls up field – none of this close passing stuff – to the opposition.
We don’t see too many changes in the side today, even though this game comes 48 hours after the Man City game, and we should really be using the squad.
Shola Ameobi is still out because of his troublesome hamstring injury, and we really don’t see too many changes from the side on Boxing Day, and this is the side we think Alan will field tonight:
Krul
Simpson Taylor (S) Coloccini Enrique
Routledge Barton (c) Tiote Guthrie Gutierrez
Carroll
Subs: Harper Williamson Perch Vuckic Smith Ranger Best
Unless Alan Smith plays we’re not sure who the captain will be today – but we’ll give it to Joey Barton, as surprising as that may seem to some people.
Of course Alan Pardew could also play Alan Smith in midfield, but that would mean both Tiote and Smith would be in the central midfield together, and we wouldn’t have too many attacking options, but it is certainly another possibility.
The keys to this game are obvious for Newcastle – we need to cut out the mistakes at the back and not give the opposition gift goals that we’ve done far too often in the last several games.
With Kevin Nolan missing, we’ll also need to be able to score some goals, which is maybe why Guthrie will get the nod over Alan Smith.
And at least Danny has scored some goals for Newcastle, which of course Alan hasn’t – even though he was signed by Sam Allardyce as a striker three and a half years ago.
We really have to get something out of this game today, otherwise we’ll continue on our really bad streak.
Let us know what Newcastle team you would field this afternoon.
Comments very welcome.
19 comments so far
mashearer
Dec 28, 2010 at 10:23 AM
Comment #1ocmebosy?? lol this is beyond typo
daneevz
Dec 28, 2010 at 10:26 AM
Comment #2i would give haris vukic a chance what i seen of him he dont look at bad unless pardew wantin to push younger players on is bullsh*t.
BonVoyageBenny
Dec 28, 2010 at 10:31 AM
Comment #3Krul
Simpson – S.Taylor – Williamson – Jose
Routledge – Barton – Tiote – Guthrie – Gutierrez
Carroll
Like you say Ed, gotta use the squad, hence why I’ve put Willo in there. Plus, I just feel him and Taylor will click, havn’t played together yet…
lou9brasil
Dec 28, 2010 at 10:42 AM
Comment #4Don’t know why but I have a sneaky feeling we will pull it out the bag today and get a 2 nil win…. I’d pick willo and colo for centre back and maybe start with 2 up front ranger or vuckic ( who I have heard isn’t bad uptop) any way don’t matter who I think should start as I’m not picking the team….. Hwtl
lou9brasil
Dec 28, 2010 at 10:44 AM
Comment #5Ps any one else seen the runours about Liverpool and HBA hope to god there not true I will be devastated!!!!
Ciaran Thomas
Dec 28, 2010 at 10:55 AM
Comment #6Hopefully Ranger starts with Andy,No point even playing a 4-5-1 without Kevin Nolan in the starting 11.
Dude
Dec 28, 2010 at 11:05 AM
Comment #7Can’t see Vuckic starting. Pardew probably hasn’t seen enough. I know I have seen enough of Guthrie and I don’t like. Would play Smith, Barton right and maybe Ranger off Carroll. Maybe Routledge warrants a fresh chance, but I’m not convinced. Also think our best CB pairing is FC and MW. Tiote man-marking vvdV.
Dude
Dec 28, 2010 at 11:06 AM
Comment #8lou9brasil, Pool interested in HBA. We have the option to sign. Only if we pass does Pool come into play.
Ciaran Thomas
Dec 28, 2010 at 11:21 AM
Comment #9Enrique had a fitness test this morning and is out. 🙁
Magickit
Dec 28, 2010 at 11:34 AM
Comment #10Today line-up
Krul
Simpson-William-Colo- Enrique
Jonas Tiote Barton Rouledge
Carroll Ranger
0. Krul must learn a lesson and he is still better than Harper esp. on shoot-stopping.
1. Joans needs to be on right becoz he needs to help handle Bale. Simpson simply can’t handle Bale alone. Bale is very strong and good stamina. I can see Jonas can box-up Bale as they are similar type concerning strength. (or Jonas as RB juz like he plays in Argentina ??)).
2. Rouledge looks fit and he is much faster than Hutton. Better on the left rather vesus Assou-Ekotto.
3. Enrique can def Lennon very well as we saw before.
4. Williamson paired up Colo is more solid. Taylor still needs to improve though he juz signed a new contract
5. Colo will be captain again and he will score for us again !!
6. With this formation. We can win 1-0/ 2-0 in a tight game.
Kammran
Dec 28, 2010 at 11:56 AM
Comment #11Guys bad news, enrique failed a fitness test this morning, he will be ok for the next game against wigan!!
Ghali
Dec 28, 2010 at 12:07 PM
Comment #12Here is what i would play
Krul
simpson-tayls-colo-bull
Barton-guthrie-tiote-routledge
Ranger-Carroll
Captain should be big andy,it will give him a huge boost to do everything and propably wont make him think about leaving ever..Jonas should be given a rest and a sent in at the last 15 minutes when most of their defenders are a bit tired maybe he will cause them so troubles in guthrie place and barton will drop to the middle..vukic the 10 minutes if possible in place of ranger and will drop back a bit i think he should be given a chance…Krul please just clear the ball dont be clever
Newcastel win 2-1 today
Howay the lads
Toonboy_84
Dec 28, 2010 at 12:10 PM
Comment #13Guti LB??
Rylandhall
Dec 28, 2010 at 12:48 PM
Comment #14Jose Enrique is out for the match at WHL this afternoon with a sore hamstring… real bad news both stopping Lennon and going forward. Think this will really hamper us today. Leaked on his twitter an hour ago… not sure Pardew will be too pleased. Our very own version of Wikileaks!…
JoseNUFC3: “Sorry lads i have a test this morning and we decide is better dont play if no im in 100×100. Im so hungry because this game is nice to play”… “We dont know yet the formation but sure i dont play. Is my hamstring is so stiff today but next game i can play sure is just 2 or 3days”
http://www.bringthehouse.com
carrollsinger
Dec 28, 2010 at 12:58 PM
Comment #15I heard Liverpool put in a bid
Brutooon
Dec 28, 2010 at 12:59 PM
Comment #16i m concern with Jose Enrique missing the game.
Ferguson is the first choice to replace Jose
please dont play PERCH cos he is bad at RB and i dont think he can do it at LB
Sav
Dec 28, 2010 at 1:01 PM
Comment #17Iv’e seen Guthrie and don’t like it either, but you could say the same thing about Smudger.
Colo should move into defensive midfield with Williamson coming in and let Tiote to make VanderFart’s afternoon a miserable one and dump Modric anarl. Barton on the right (sorry, Wayne). Guti with a kick up the arse. Ranger second striker with encouragement to swing right as well. Spuds centrebacks are dodgy and we must capitalise on it.
carlton nufc
Dec 28, 2010 at 1:27 PM
Comment #18krul
simpson taylor williamson colo/perch
smith tiote
routledge guti
carroll loven/ranger
i wouldnt be suprised if we see xisco today and also if he plays ranger i can see him playing for of a attacking mid but i do think there will be fireworks today at the game i can just feel it evan a point will be fantastic cmon the tooooooon
DannyboyNUFC
Dec 28, 2010 at 2:09 PM
Comment #19Shame Enrique is out today he has said on his Twitter page 🙁