As expected Steve Harper returns to the Newcastle goal this afternoon against Wigan, and manager Alan Pardew has made a full 5 changes from the side beaten 2-0 at Spurs on Wednesday afternoon.
Jose Enrique, Shola Ameobi, Kevin Nolan and Peter Lovenkrands all are in the starting line-up, as Alan Pardew goes with an attacking 4-4-2 formation to try to get all 3 points at Wigan this afternoon.
And with Routledge not in the starting line up it looks like Joey Barton will play out on the right wing, and get in those crosses to big man Shola Ameobi, and a lot rests on the 28 year-old Nigerian-born striker this afternoon.
Nolan has served a one-game suspension for getting his 5th yellow card against Man City, and Enrique and Ameobi have both recovered from their hamstring problems.
Andy Carroll misses out with a thigh problem, and we are still to hear the full extent of that injury – but it could be he is out a full month – in the worst case.
Former Newcastle youngster Gary Caldwell starts for Wigan and his brother Steven, who played 37 times with two goals for the Magpies, is on the bench.
This is a big big game for Newcastle, and we are looking to get all 3 points and for every single player in a black and white shirt today, we look to them to work their socks off for the Newcastle cause this afternoon.
Former Newcastle winger Charles N’Zogbia is suspended for this game, after having been sent off against Arsenal last week.
Tom Cleverley, a former Newcastle loan target last summer, starts for Wigan.
Howay The Lads!! – we need a win!
Teams:
Newcastle: Harper; Simpson, S Taylor, Coloccini, Enrique; Barton, Nolan, Tiote, Gutierrez; Ameobi, Lovenkrands.
Subs: Krul, Williamson, Routledge, Perch, Smith, Best, Ranger.
Wigan: Al Habsi, Gohouri, Alcaraz, G Caldwell, Thomas, Watson, Gomez, Cleverley, Rodallega, Diame, Stam.
Subs: Pollitt, Boselli, S Caldwell, McArthur, Lopez, Figueroa, McManaman.
240 comments so far
Oba
Jan 2, 2011 at 3:34 PM
Comment #1HTL
Chances for a lot of players to show what they’re made of today.
Geordie-Gerrard7
Jan 2, 2011 at 3:35 PM
Comment #2Can’t describe how big this game is today!!
alex84
Jan 2, 2011 at 3:35 PM
Comment #30-2. nolan and loverman
Geordie-Gerrard7
Jan 2, 2011 at 3:35 PM
Comment #4C’monnnnnnnnn!! Howay the lads.
bentoon
Jan 2, 2011 at 3:35 PM
Comment #5This team is good enough to get the 3 points. Get Ranger on in 2nd half to run at their tired defenders. Im gonna go for 1-3.
Strolla with 2 goals and Ranger with a cheeky goal if hes brought on. Upto our strikers to show their worth in the absence of Big Andy.
xfer
Jan 2, 2011 at 3:37 PM
Comment #6I’ve watched all 3 games since Alan took over. Not much has changed in terms of how the team is set up and play. Hopefully Alan has had enough time to instill a trick or two in the team.
Good line up we got for today. Glad we gave Loven a chance, not so sure about Shola. Loven has worked hard for the team whenever he plays. Ranger and Routledge would add to the pace late on in the game. Still a debate whether Ranger should be starting.
clarkeey
Jan 2, 2011 at 3:37 PM
Comment #7any live streams?
Oba
Jan 2, 2011 at 3:39 PM
Comment #8If he plays Lovenkrands down the left and Guti down the right I will rage.
Brutooon
Jan 2, 2011 at 3:40 PM
Comment #9lovenkrands starting is a good thing.
4-4-2. a good formation as a starter
hitman
Jan 2, 2011 at 3:41 PM
Comment #10must win game the day…
COME ON THE TOON
alip123
Jan 2, 2011 at 3:41 PM
Comment #11anyone see some deja vu? I think we could draw, beat West Ham and in true Newcastle style as it has been this season, lose to Stevenage, thrash the mackems and beat Spurs. Not saying it will but this season nothing has surprised me. HWTL!!!!
Thump
Jan 2, 2011 at 3:42 PM
Comment #12http://www.tvoo.eu/ch1.html
This should be on when it starts according to myp2p
http://myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=100189&part=sports
catchy in norway
Jan 2, 2011 at 3:43 PM
Comment #13http://www.asiaplatetv.com/football.php
CT
Jan 2, 2011 at 3:43 PM
Comment #14Don`t know why,maybe talk of quality players possibly signing will Gee the players up but got a good feeling about this.
Nolan 2/Shola1= 3:1 to us.
Seems Carrol`s injury not as bad as 1st feared.
Prob back for Mackems. 6xpoints better off before then will do nicely!!
HaZ-NUFC
Jan 2, 2011 at 3:44 PM
Comment #15disappointed that he has put harper back in krul has done well he made one mistake against man city and thats all he has done wrong, he had great games against arsenal and liverpool made saves in them to games that won us the points – nasri shot before half time and Torres shot against liverpool
Thump
Jan 2, 2011 at 3:45 PM
Comment #16It could be 4-5-1 with Loverman playing wide left but let’s hope otherwise.
If it’s 4-4-2, I wonder if Joey is playing on the right.
CT
Jan 2, 2011 at 3:46 PM
Comment #17OBa@8— won`t happen but not the worst shout!!
Shot Bru
Jan 2, 2011 at 3:46 PM
Comment #18Should’ve played Williamson CB for his prowess in the air and moved Saylor to RB.. along with the loss of Carroll and his defensive duties at corners and free kicks i fear we will struggle for height at the back.
HaZ-NUFC
Jan 2, 2011 at 3:47 PM
Comment #19its 4-4-2 ;]
archaeomag
Jan 2, 2011 at 3:47 PM
Comment #20@Thump
Hope so – strikers might get some service
Thump
Jan 2, 2011 at 3:48 PM
Comment #21Lover will get the service, Shola might have a bit of a jog towards a loose ball if he’s feeling mobile.
twgp
Jan 2, 2011 at 3:49 PM
Comment #22http://www.footballstreaming.info/streams/todays-links/
Here’s some links.
geist
Jan 2, 2011 at 3:50 PM
Comment #23if you got veetle http://nutjobtv.yolasite.com/
CT
Jan 2, 2011 at 3:50 PM
Comment #24The good thing, this line up is fluid.
Probably start:
Joey–Nolan–Tiote–Jonas
–Shola–Lovens
But could easy go;
Jonas–Joey–Tiote–Lovens
——————Nolan
———–Shola
MacToon
Jan 2, 2011 at 3:51 PM
Comment #25Big BIG game for Pardew and the Toon.
Thump
Jan 2, 2011 at 3:52 PM
Comment #26Ah geist, you’re a legend 😀
geist
Jan 2, 2011 at 3:54 PM
Comment #27the guy running the stream says it will be put back up if taken down.
lewman
Jan 2, 2011 at 3:55 PM
Comment #28atleast ryan taylor doesnt play for wigan anymore, he used to score all the time against us
hitman
Jan 2, 2011 at 3:56 PM
Comment #29big dave you there m8
Thump
Jan 2, 2011 at 3:59 PM
Comment #30The commentators know what’s up.
“The biggest team in the north east hasn’t had much luck in the north west”
Love it 😀
Rylandhall
Jan 2, 2011 at 4:00 PM
Comment #31“Shola looks like he has the FLAVOUR today..” let’s hope so Alan Pardew!!
http://www.bringthehouse.com
hitman
Jan 2, 2011 at 4:00 PM
Comment #32aye thump that was class 🙂
carlton nufc
Jan 2, 2011 at 4:03 PM
Comment #33if we had carroll 1-0 already
carlton nufc
Jan 2, 2011 at 4:03 PM
Comment #34he should of scored
Robson1979
Jan 2, 2011 at 4:03 PM
Comment #35Why is Williamson not playing? He is clearly our best central defender. it just doesn’t make sense…
Brutooon
Jan 2, 2011 at 4:04 PM
Comment #36AMEOBI nearly score 1.41, a reason he NEVER going to play for England Senior Team
hitman
Jan 2, 2011 at 4:04 PM
Comment #37sholla misses a sitter..
Thump
Jan 2, 2011 at 4:04 PM
Comment #38Shola 🙁
geist
Jan 2, 2011 at 4:04 PM
Comment #39how did shol miss?
macn0ble (Finland)
Jan 2, 2011 at 4:04 PM
Comment #40Shola just showed the reason we should get rid of him.