Good news today that summer signing Dan Gosling is closing in on his Newcastle United debut.
Dan Gosling – could be ion the bench tonight
And it’s possible, and probably likely if he passes a fitness test later today, that he’ll be on the bench for tonight’s game against West Ham United.
Dan accompanied the squad to Wigan, as a means of getting him into the swing of things at Newcastle, now that he’s almost fully fit again.
Gosling ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (knee ACL), in late March playing for former club Everton at Wolves, when he collided with goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann.
This is what Alan Pardew said today about Gosling:
“If Dan comes through a fitness test, he’ll be available for selection,” “He hasn’t played any reserve games, and he really needs one of those.”
“But he’s trained well, he’s a good lad, and I thought it would be a nice boost for him to take him to Wigan.” “He’ll probably be in the squad tonight.”
And while we thought the side tonight would be the side that started at Wigan on Sunday, it looked like Alan may make one or two changes, and could evne give Nile Ranger a first Premier League start.
Alan continued:
“I’ve got a couple of decisions to make,” “I need the team to be fresh and right for West Ham, who could change their team.”
“The options are do I put fresh legs in – or do I stick with a winning team? That’s the decision I have to make.”
We still think he will probably start an unchanged side , but we’ll know soon enough, and of course we do have the FA Cup at Stevenage in a short three days time.
Comments welcome.
113 comments so far
ToonAndy
Jan 5, 2011 at 1:55 PM
Comment #1Ermm, let me think? Maybe STICK WITH A WINNING TEAM ?!?
NUFC_Richyg01
Jan 5, 2011 at 1:56 PM
Comment #2For god sake do not rush the lad back
jesus was a geordie
Jan 5, 2011 at 2:03 PM
Comment #3ToonAndy, I’ve got to agree, although also, be prepared to make changes earlier in the game.
We’ve got a whole week n a half ’till we play the scum, with Stevenage at the weekend. With all due respect I think we can rest a few of the main players:
………………………Krul…………………
Tavenir, Williamson, Kadar, Perch.
……………………Smith…………………
R.Taylor………………………Fergusson
………………….Vuckic……………………
……….Ranger…………Best/Xisco……
Has enough of a combination of youth and experience, quality and potential AND players with a point to prove to get the job done.
Throw Gosling and Guthrie into the mix and we’ve a properly solid squad for that game!
Lynxie
Jan 5, 2011 at 2:09 PM
Comment #4Jesuswasageordie:
Are you forgetting that this is also a game we really don’t need to be losing, or we get sucked into the mire again. What can be gained by playing the reserves tonight in a crucial 6 pointer which could mould our season? Play the juniors against Stevenage on Saturday by all means, but GET A RESULT TONIGHT!!! HWTL!
Lynxie
Jan 5, 2011 at 2:10 PM
Comment #5Oh and by the way, theres only one place I would like to throw Guthrie………… and it aint into ‘the mix’.
NUFC_Richyg01
Jan 5, 2011 at 2:10 PM
Comment #6@ Lynxie // Jan 5, 2011 at 2:09 PM (4)
I think thats jesus was a geordie’s line up for the Stevenage Game
expatgeordie
Jan 5, 2011 at 2:13 PM
Comment #7In a couple of seasons time I can see us fielding the following squad & challenging for trophies & europe.
GK: Krul/Forster
Defence: Tavenir/Simpson/Colocini/S Taylor/Williamson/Kadar/Enrique
Midfield: Routledge/Gosling/Barton/Tiote/Arfa/Jonas/Ferguson/Vuckic/Donaldson/Guthrie/Inman.
Forwards: Carroll/Ranger/Airey/Ameobi
Visten
Jan 5, 2011 at 2:14 PM
Comment #8Give him time. a couple of reserve team games should do it. and for pitys sake DO NOT play him at Stevenage as part of a weakened team as they will be looking to rough us up on a dodgy footing pitch not the best place for a recovering knee ligament.
Richy_c90
Jan 5, 2011 at 2:18 PM
Comment #9Do you know where Gosling is strongest? As he can play in midfield and defence, so I don’t think we would need another LB as cover for Jose if he is on his way back and we have Kadar etc.
Toonfan1
Jan 5, 2011 at 2:19 PM
Comment #10I have to say I’ve been looking forward to Gosling coming back from that nasty injury! A good, versatile player who’s of a young age and can mature at Newcastle! I think if we can possibly being in a cover LB and a striker now; I think we’d be set until the end of the season! Come on the Toon! 2-0 today Nolan and Barton the scorers 😉
carrollsinger
Jan 5, 2011 at 2:21 PM
Comment #11Drop lover for ranger/best
OneAlanShearer
Jan 5, 2011 at 2:22 PM
Comment #12richy I think he can play Right back or in defensive midfield could be wrong.
chuck
Jan 5, 2011 at 2:22 PM
Comment #13Ermmm ! let me think, agree with ToonAndy @1#.
OneAlanShearer
Jan 5, 2011 at 2:24 PM
Comment #14Expat, I would take Donaldson out of that as I don’t think he’s ever going to be good enough, hasn’t improved and has apparently not got the right attitude or at least I heard that about a year ago.
OneAlanShearer
Jan 5, 2011 at 2:25 PM
Comment #15Also yep we must stick to a winning team but I think Pardew is just playing mind games with the appy ammers.
OneAlanShearer
Jan 5, 2011 at 2:25 PM
Comment #16Great to see Gosling on the scene. Good luck to him.
Richy_c90
Jan 5, 2011 at 2:26 PM
Comment #17Cheers OAS, that would make for good competition for Simpson then, must be better than R Taylor.
bostonmagpie
Jan 5, 2011 at 2:26 PM
Comment #18and routledge..he can go in the bin an all! gosling wont get nowhere near a look in tonight,he’s only travelled to get him in the frame
Thump
Jan 5, 2011 at 2:27 PM
Comment #19Actually Visten, Broadhall Way has a canny pitch. Not sure of it’s current condition but I’m sure the groundsmen will be working overtime to try and pretty it up for the TV cameras. I agree with the sentiment, though.
I like Jesus was a Geordie’s line up for Stevenage, would love to see some of the youngsters getting a good run out and Perch might be able to play a canny game against a league 2 side!
slazberger
Jan 5, 2011 at 2:28 PM
Comment #20@ Lynxie – im with NUFC_Richyg01 and that is a suggested lineup for the fa cup game by Jesuswasageordie.
gosling on the bench would be a good boost for his morale after been out for so long but i wouldnt use him. maybe bring him on for 20 minutes in the cup if we are in complete control of the game.
Lynxie
Jan 5, 2011 at 2:28 PM
Comment #21Douglas Bader is better than Ryan Taylor
bostonmagpie
Jan 5, 2011 at 2:29 PM
Comment #22isnt ryan taylor out for the season after sol mullered him in training?
Thump
Jan 5, 2011 at 2:29 PM
Comment #23Forgot to add: Isn’t R. Taylor injured? Anybody know when he’s due back?
As for Gosling he can play RB, RM, DM and CM. He’s best through the middle but his delivery isn’t terrible but if he could switch during the game with Joey (so Joey moves onto the right, Gosling into centre, rinse, wash, repeat) we might have an extra element of surprise.
Lynxie
Jan 5, 2011 at 2:29 PM
Comment #24Apologies jesus was a geordie. Good call if it was the Stevenage team, I fully agree, play the kids, and fringe players (shopp window and all that).
3 Points tonight imperative. HWTL!!!!
Malaysia-RASHID
Jan 5, 2011 at 2:32 PM
Comment #25@NUFC_Richyg01 // Jan 5, 2011 at 2:03 PM
to me, rite now, i see all of the lads give what i can say trying to winning all the game, just some of them do no have real quality for EPL, but we need them for backup, we also need good player for cup,
Do you all know why Sir Alex and Arsene rare buying big guns or change their player, to me they have their fund and there a lot of player willing to play for them, and like MU, some of their player should be Holiday at home because of age.
Try to think, do you all think buying new player will make sure your team become stronger than before, my answers is No
Because a good player will keep learning, and a good player will play for their favorite team and loyal to the teammates, manager and fans most important,
See what happen to Arfa, Nolan, Barton, Carroll, jose
All of them can leave NUFC when us relegate but they choose to stay coz they love us that why our game is awesome,
With Arfa, he willing to leave french and being booyoo by his old club because he love us, we need this type of player.
Try all of you compare us to MUFC, note to all of you about toure and adebayor fighting.
Try referesh about Belemy and Dyer.
Try about Owen who told press what he feel about us.
To me, our player rite now make us have Pride again. Thanks to all NUFC player but most is Sir Chris Hughton.
nuttyward
Jan 5, 2011 at 2:34 PM
Comment #26Best a starter for me like instead of loverman
Thump
Jan 5, 2011 at 2:36 PM
Comment #27I hate to play devil’s advocate here but I think it’s a bit early to judge Ben Arfa’s dedication to the club.
He wasn’t happy at Marseille, had a tiff with his manager and then looked for an open door. Chris being the gentleman he is wooed him into the club and while playing for us, signing the contract and the fans reaction to him (and his comments on that) has certainly given us reason to believe he’s dedicated to the cause but all it takes is one spat and he could be looking for another open door. I honestly hope that isn’t the case but on the same note, we can’t afford to coddle a player.
Also MCFC mate ;D
Richy_c90
Jan 5, 2011 at 2:40 PM
Comment #28Yeah Thump, much like another certain French player we had. Hopefully it won’t come to that, it seems Pardew knows not to bring a player like that in as he doesn’t want to disrupt the spirit we have.
Lynxie
Jan 5, 2011 at 2:43 PM
Comment #29Thump, I agree, but one thing you cant deny, he is a terrific player, and we are buying a great product unlike some of the wallies we have had previously.
Get well soon Hatem, back to torture the Mackems????!
ToonAndy
Jan 5, 2011 at 3:04 PM
Comment #30I’m sorry but, these people who are wanting to put Leon Best into the team? I saw him play against Wigan and I was horrified. He got the ball and should have ran at the defender but he looked so sluggish… Almost like an old man! And then tripped over himself when he went for the shot and nearly put the ball out for a throw in!!… The sooner we get rid of him the better Imo
Irish-Toon
Jan 5, 2011 at 3:16 PM
Comment #31I don’t really give a stuff about the FA cup this season I just want to stay in the premier league. I hope AP puts out his strongest team tonight and then he can do what he likes against Stevenage, give all the fringe players a game and see what happens, but 3 points is a must from tonight. It’ll put an 8 point gap between us and the relegation zone
Irish-Toon
Jan 5, 2011 at 3:21 PM
Comment #32I think Best needs to be given a chance. I’ve seen him play a number of times for the Republic, although not the most skillful of player, he really does give his all. The chance he had against wigan just looked looked like a player who’s out of practise, I think if he has a few games in a row he’ll improve
Sinner
Jan 5, 2011 at 3:22 PM
Comment #33Best is good lad but we need to be looking for someone who can score goals.Best can score goals but its every now and then!!D:/
We all have seen Pardew saying that his priority this January was to look for striker.Meaning he must have seen in trainning how weak we are in attack(Without Caroll).
Thump
Jan 5, 2011 at 3:39 PM
Comment #34Oh definitely, Lynxie. He’s an outstanding player and I genuinely hope he stays for a long time and tortures defences with his creativity, pace – and more goals like Everton wouldn’t go amiss!
RE: Best, he’s a canny player looking to regain match fitness/sharpness like he said. The ball is in his court and I reckon he could be a canny second striker/poacher (in the same vein as Shola, although I rate Best a lot higher). I think last season he was still finding his stride and getting used to a new club, he knocked one past PSV (and Carlisle to a lesser extent). I reckon he could get a hatful of goals in the premier league given a decent run.
In all fairness we are weak in attack without Carroll but that’s mostly down to a lack of plan B – hopefully we can work it out while he’s out of the squad.
NUFC_Richyg01
Jan 5, 2011 at 3:41 PM
Comment #35Anyone seen this Spuds blog post about Big Andy…
http://www.dearmrlevy.com/dml/2011/1/5/the-snarling-elegant-beast-in-need-of-carrollor-a-ballerina.html
Selbymag
Jan 5, 2011 at 3:42 PM
Comment #36Best has hardly been given a chance it takes time to get back from that injury. I for one thought he did well on Sunday and looked sharp. And thats from the stands not on tv or internet so better overall view of the lads movement. He was unlucky to slip on the run, was great to see one of our players drive at the heart of the opposition defence for once.
Didnt get a decent run last season so no time to get any form. Looked sharp at Plymouth and nearly broke the bar with a strike from the edge of the area.
Now he is fit Pardew can make a decision but too early too offload him yet.
perch
Jan 5, 2011 at 3:56 PM
Comment #37http://www.nufcblog.info/
Lynxie
Jan 5, 2011 at 3:59 PM
Comment #38Aye Thump you are not wrong. Best looked our sharpest striker in pre season, who knows how this strike force would have panned out if he had not got injured. I think he has very good nuisance value and makes very good runs behind defenders, something which Lovenkrands has stopped doing, and an element we need to turn centre halves tec.
I hope he gets a run out tonight its a good test for him.
perch
Jan 5, 2011 at 4:03 PM
Comment #39http://www.nufcblog.info/ 😉
Shot Bru
Jan 5, 2011 at 4:03 PM
Comment #40Changing the subject…Phil Parkinson could be a candidate as Pardew’s number 2 now he’s been sacked by Charlton…