Leon Best is up front for another start for Newcastle United, alongside local lad Shola Ameobi, at the Stadium of Light today.
Best was certainly in good form last time out in the league, when he got that famous hat-trick in the 5-0 humiliation of West Ham just 11 days ago.
And new boy Dan Gosling, as expected, will be on the bench for Newcastle, while Alan Smith gets another chance to show he can indeed fill the huge gap left by Cheick Tiote, who is suspended.
Barton and Gutierrez will be out on the wings, and Smith and Nolan will try to control central midfield, which Newcastle didn’t do at all last week at Stevenage.
There were rumors that Shola had re-injured his ankle yesterday, so it’s good news the local lad is starting today, because he could be a huge player for the Magpies today.
For Sunderland Darren Bent partners Asamoah Gyan up front, while Craig Gordon, Titus Bramble, Ahmed Elmohamady and Jordan Henderson all return to the side.
But Lee Cattermole and Danny Welbeck are both missing from the Sunderland squad and former Newcastle player, Titus Bramble, is at center-back for the Black Cats, and he captains the side.
A win, in a game that is being televised live around the world, will take Newcastle into 7th place in the Premier League, just two points behind Sunderland and with a game in hand.
A win will set off huge celebrations on Tyneside, and around the world, by Newcastle United supporters everywhere.
We’ll be back immediately after the game.
Howay The Lads!!
Teams:
Sunderland: Gordon, Bardsley, Richardson, Bramble (C), Ferdinand, Malbranque, Elmohamady, Henderson, Richardson, Bent, Gyan
Subs: Mignolet, Angeleri, Riveros, Da Silva, Zenden, Reid, Colback
Newcastle: Harper, Simpson, Enrique, Coloccini, Williamson, Gutierrez, Barton, Nolan (C), Smith, Best, Ameobi
Subs: Krul., Guthrie, Lovenkrands, Routledge, Perch, Gosling, Ranger
415 comments so far
Brutooon
Jan 16, 2011 at 11:21 AM
Comment #1NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
ALAN CRAP SMITH IS PLAYING !!!!!!!
MonsterMagnet
Jan 16, 2011 at 11:22 AM
Comment #2No national radio or TV coverage in the UK 🙁 – as if Villa – Brum is a more interesting game…
dawid182
Jan 16, 2011 at 11:22 AM
Comment #3two Richardson in the Sunderland line up?
iamnufc
Jan 16, 2011 at 11:23 AM
Comment #4I think starting smith is a fab decision by pardew..with cattermole missing smith will add bite to control the midfield..great tactics by pardew
xfer
Jan 16, 2011 at 11:24 AM
Comment #5We need someone to break their move, and seriously we aint got much option there apart from Alan Smith. Smith goes it, either expertly breaks play, or brings the player down, more often the latter than not.
Expect the worst, and hope for the best.
Brutooon
Jan 16, 2011 at 11:24 AM
Comment #6before kicking the ball, we are 10 players against 11 players
i will tell you in advance, Alan Smith will make mistake tonite – TRUST ME
Brutooon
Jan 16, 2011 at 11:25 AM
Comment #7Alan Smith will play like XAVI or INIESTA for the first 2 mins, then remain ANONYMOUS the remaining 88 mins – Trust me
Edd Case
Jan 16, 2011 at 11:26 AM
Comment #8Smith playing = lose
Damn it, revenge for the unwashed today I’m afraid.
We’ll get done over because they have a MUCH better, fitter, younger and technically better centre midfield.
Our only hope will be top set pieces by Barton.
Smith off at half time no matter what and have Gosling on please.
I fear a loss today BUT I will always back my team, so I’ll go for a very close game and a 2-1 to Newcastle, Shola and Gosling nicking it in the last 5 mins after we go 0-1 down!
HWTL
iamnufc
Jan 16, 2011 at 11:26 AM
Comment #9Bruetoon u will eat ur words at the end
xfer
Jan 16, 2011 at 11:26 AM
Comment #10On a sidenote, i’ve enjoyed the overall play of Leon Best, not considering his hat-trick. His movement, space and ability to hold up play surprises him. Looking forward to seeing more of him today. And with him apparently raring to go (according to Pardew), we might see him play with hunger, pushing the team forward.
MT
Jan 16, 2011 at 11:26 AM
Comment #11hope can win again………..
arcarius
Jan 16, 2011 at 11:26 AM
Comment #12Smith!
For once, pls prove me wrong and be useful!
ganiyu
Jan 16, 2011 at 11:27 AM
Comment #13smith to score hat trick today.its already past 12 here in nigeria an theres no broadcast
alex84
Jan 16, 2011 at 11:27 AM
Comment #14COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TheToonKing
Jan 16, 2011 at 11:28 AM
Comment #15I pray to the heavens Smudger doesn’t cost us today.
I an already see him lunging and getting sent off after 10 mins…
…damn you FA and referee for Tiote. We basically have 3 good players, Tiote, Carroll and Barton….2 are missing…
I would be quite happy with a draw today…
Phil K
Jan 16, 2011 at 11:28 AM
Comment #16xfer – what I was thinking “expect the worst hope for the best” Hoping for Best to actually do some good, too.
I gather Shola IS playing.
At least theres one lad who knows what this means to the fans.
AND he always scores against the makems too.
Lets hope he keeps up that paticular record.
Brutooon
Jan 16, 2011 at 11:29 AM
Comment #17iamnufc : i will not, Alan Smith is so crap that he make Marcelinho a better player now
leedodd
Jan 16, 2011 at 11:29 AM
Comment #18Any Links for the Game yet Lads !!!!!
Phil K
Jan 16, 2011 at 11:30 AM
Comment #19Best didn’t show much movement etc against Stevenage, xfer.
Come to that, no-one did
ganiyu
Jan 16, 2011 at 11:30 AM
Comment #20leon best=drake
andre29
Jan 16, 2011 at 11:30 AM
Comment #21Sunderland vs Newcastle veetle and flash stream on http://veetle-sportv.blogspot.com/
Brutooon
Jan 16, 2011 at 11:30 AM
Comment #22Before Game : i ALWAYS slag Alan Smith
During Game : I support all Black and White Players, even hope Alan Smith can prove me WRONG
After Game : Conclusion – Alan Smith is a CRAP player !!!
Chris F
Jan 16, 2011 at 11:32 AM
Comment #23i’m not smith’s biggest fan, but some of the talk on here turns my stomach.
you’re meant to be SUPPORTERS.
iamnufc
Jan 16, 2011 at 11:32 AM
Comment #24Guys we should trust me…smith already 30 played for man in champions league he will bring much needed experience
ganiyu
Jan 16, 2011 at 11:33 AM
Comment #25no own goals no penaties no red cards no offside goals,just natural talent
iamnufc
Jan 16, 2011 at 11:33 AM
Comment #26Cheers Chris.. That’s what I an trying to say
supermacnumber9
Jan 16, 2011 at 11:33 AM
Comment #27Be positive – this does not look like a defensive side looking for a 0-0 draw does it! Lets get at them and feed the two forwards!
Paul Collins
Jan 16, 2011 at 11:34 AM
Comment #28You can watch todays match on this link, it’s not a 100% but watcthable! Your welcome tell all your Freinds click on Browser for best results.
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBkQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.footballstreaming.info%2F&ei=3tYyTcqUHJGUjAfKjo24Cg&usg=AFQjCNHTIxF8wiand5x0hLkSMC95a2zvKg
Sinner
Jan 16, 2011 at 11:34 AM
Comment #29Why play Best and Smith?? D:/
tdt
Jan 16, 2011 at 11:35 AM
Comment #30links??
Toonboy
Jan 16, 2011 at 11:35 AM
Comment #31any good links today peeps ???
ganiyu
Jan 16, 2011 at 11:35 AM
Comment #32if alan smith doesnt scores i would stop comming to this blog.its a vow
Brutooon
Jan 16, 2011 at 11:35 AM
Comment #33Smith can’t pass, seriously guys do u watch him the last 4 season?
Look at the stevenage game, he should get lots of the ball because he is a MIDFIELDER!
Toonboy
Jan 16, 2011 at 11:37 AM
Comment #34All this Alan Smith knocking, i bet he’ll score the winner, he is due one HWTL
toonbrother
Jan 16, 2011 at 11:37 AM
Comment #35We are going to get massacred. Serves us right for sacking a good man and a good manager and hiring a born loser in his place
ganiyu
Jan 16, 2011 at 11:37 AM
Comment #36sell andy carroll and give alan smith jersey no.9.sell jose and allow perch be a new lb
kevymartins
Jan 16, 2011 at 11:37 AM
Comment #37Only up an soo excited
come on lads get the links up
howay
Brutooon
Jan 16, 2011 at 11:38 AM
Comment #38He never gonna score not in a 100 years, he can’t even do a short simple pass.
Seriously guys, be pessimistic
Rorycn
Jan 16, 2011 at 11:39 AM
Comment #39http://www.firstrow.net/sports/football.html
ganiyu
Jan 16, 2011 at 11:40 AM
Comment #40alan smith is the man of the match .he is a match winner.up smudger