We thought Joey Barton and Jonas Gutierrez would have a decent chance of making the important game at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.
Jonas Gutierrez – Argentine is doubtful for Saturday
But it looks like Jonas, in addition to Jose Enrique, could miss the game against Stoke City.
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew is waiting on the fitness of Joey Barton, Jose Enrique and Jonas Gutierrez for Saturday’s game, since injuries have seemed to hit the Newcastle squad big time over the last few weeks.
We have to hope that Joey Barton will be able to play, and has fully recovered from his thigh strain, which has surprisingly kept him out of the last two home games, in which Newcastle gained but a solitary point against Bolton and Everton.
And it seems that Joey has the best chance of the three to make the game, since it’s almost certain that Jose will not be risked on Saturday, but the good news is that the Spaniard should then be fit for the next game in a couple of weeks, which is at home to Wolves.
Pardew talked to Sky Sports News today:
“Jose and Jonas, we have just got to see after training tomorrow, really.” “You are pitching them in without training after 10 to 14 days in a Premier League game where it is almost like warfare at times at their place.”
“So I will be careful what I do.” “I would have to be 100% sure they are right.” “We think Joey has got a good chance – he did the warm-up today. Jose looks very doubtful and Jonas did the warm-up today, but he looks a bit doubtful.”
Enrique has suffered from hamstring pulls during his successful career at Newcastle, and it would be unwise to risk him, especially when he could be fit for the remaining 8 games of the seaosn, starting against Wolves.
And if Jonas Gutierrez is not fit, why not give 19 year-old Shane Ferguson a chance out on the left wing, as he can certainly play in that position, and will track back too.
Pardew was asked about his possible team selection for Saturday:
“I don’t know who will get the nod. My selection will be based around being strong enough to cope with what Stoke do.”
“They don’t really carve you open with inter-play, it is set-plays and second phases and aggression and forceful play, and you have got to be able to cope with that.”
“That’s something I will think about when I select the team.” “It’s not really an ideal situation for us. We ended up with a lot of injuries over the Christmas period when games were so congested – ridiculously so.”
“And now we find ourselves with one game in the best part of a month.” “It can’t be right. For us, it is difficult because we are trying to keep the focus of the players.”
“We have this game, when we have had a two-week break leading into it, and we are going to have a two-week break coming out of it, so it’s far from ideal.” “But with the players I have and the experience I have, hopefully we will be able to cope with that.”
We cannot complain too much about the fixture list, although we do have a couple of games over a four or five week period.
Since we were knocked out in the 3rd round of the FA Cup, and participated in only 3 rounds of the Carling Cup, Newcastle will play only 42 games this season, and that’s probably as low as any other Premier League club who are not playing in Europe.
I suppose if we didn’t want this lull to happen, Newcastle shouldn’t have allowed themselves to be knocked out in the 3rd round of the FA Cup at Stevenage.
It’s nobody else’s fault but our own, and it’s a bit like Alex Ferguson, who always blames the referee whenever Manchester United are beaten, and that’s just a little different to Arsene Wenger’s approach, who blames the first thing he can think of, when Arsenal are beaten.
😀
We are also concerned Newcastle have had so many injuries since Alan arrived, because that was a curse with previous managers, and arguably cost Graeme Souness and Glenn Roeder their jobs at the club, although their results were just hopeless.
And as far as the game on Saturday – we’d be quite satisfied with anything but a defeat at the Britannia Stadium.
Comments welcome.
34 comments so far
davybtoon
Mar 17, 2011 at 6:41 PM
Comment #1id play this team for stoke
harper
williamson campbell colo
simpson tiote barton ferguson
nolan
shola best
thats if jonas aint fit it b 3-5-2 formation with the 3 cb and simpson n ferguson playing as wingbacks, barton in the middle with tiote n nolan jus behind the strikers
davybtoon
Mar 17, 2011 at 6:44 PM
Comment #2n by the theres no ifs or buts about jose he is gone in the summer the deal is already done
Toonboy_84
Mar 17, 2011 at 6:58 PM
Comment #3Can you back that up with anything? Or are you guessing the deal is done?
Toonmania
Mar 17, 2011 at 7:53 PM
Comment #4i’m pretty sure Jose deal is done, i also think that there is not much wrong with Jonas and Barton more a case of if they can be bothered. well documented that Jonas might want to leave if his mate Jose left and Barton has been having strops around Benton only had to read into Pardew comments the other day about Bartons mood swings
boonarmy
Mar 17, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Comment #5Any news on ireland yet is he ready to go or what ?
gorskino10
Mar 17, 2011 at 8:05 PM
Comment #6Doubt it im worried by Ireland havent rated him and will reserve judgement till when i see him in NUFC shirt (if ever) see’s very injury prone keeps getting one injury after another much like Dyer did.
I hope your right @ToonMania because tbh you cannot give a NEW player been there less than 1 season a 6 year contract extension (Tiote) and not give one to Jonas/Barton? Jose is waiting to see if we spend the money we get i hope we do and not waste it other wise if Jose leaves this would mean in 2 windows we have sold our argublly 2 best players, that isnt a positive thing for a time where you need to keep your best and build on that.
carrollsinger
Mar 17, 2011 at 8:06 PM
Comment #7I would have
Harper
Taylor willo colo simmo
Barton Nolan tiote fergie
Best shola
jimiley
Mar 17, 2011 at 8:07 PM
Comment #8Hallo peeps. Jimiley here blogging from Nepal. Anybody care if the Goot and the Bull want to leave hallowed Toon? Foreign mercenaries. All Toon fans in Nepal could not give a Yak (or a monkees!!). As long as we get decent price for them so honourable owner Mr Cashley has lots to spend in casino is main ting. Anyway peeps, I want to tell you about star player in Nepal Kurt Yak. Only 7 years old but has scored loads of goals in nets. His mama is willing to sell to Loony Toons for 7 bottle tops. Wages are two Cumberland sausages a week. Great prospect. Do you tink Mr Cashley will stretch jock straps that far? I will act as agent for one boiled egg. Good deal no?
cgrizzly87
Mar 17, 2011 at 8:13 PM
Comment #9Glenn Roeder wasn’t that bad!
Though there was an interview with Jonas today where he said he’d play anywhere he was needed against Stoke? All seems rather odd to me.
Every team has a rough patch in the season, guess this is ours?
Fingers crossed for Saturday!
bakerman
Mar 17, 2011 at 8:29 PM
Comment #10In light of the increasing injuries we are currently experiencing and how we are NOT coping without key players, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight Chris Houghton’s time as manager.
Despite numerous injuries both in the CCC & PL, he was always resourceful with his use of players and got the best out of whoever played, no matter who they were. We miss you Chrissy – and hope to see you back at SJP some day!!
gorskino10
Mar 17, 2011 at 8:38 PM
Comment #11Watching Braga (seen a few games) but Alan is rather impressive, shame his left foot sucks but he only used his right on the RW looks a good little player very dangerous and i think his contract is up so able to leave in the summer for FREE.
davybtoon
Mar 17, 2011 at 9:17 PM
Comment #12yea can bk it up was told from one of the reserve team players father, so thats from someone whos son is in the club everyday and knows the crack so id say hes gone if they say its a done deal
stuart no9
Mar 17, 2011 at 9:56 PM
Comment #13off to the britannia for the first time on saturday, anyone of you boys been before? heard the ground is about 2 miles from thestation and that there are no watering holes near the ground , anyone know where to go? thanks chaps
listie
Mar 17, 2011 at 10:03 PM
Comment #14How many watched the Liverpool game and wanted Braga to win. Liverpool have turned into a long ball to the big man when Carroll plays
gorskino10
Mar 17, 2011 at 10:21 PM
Comment #15i watched Rangers mainly cant stand liverpool. but yeah was hoping they would fall.
stevep
Mar 17, 2011 at 10:27 PM
Comment #16The whole farcical episode of us playing once in a month and than having a congestion of fixtures is purely down to the fa’s greed wherein they refuse to let teams play on an FA cup or international weekend – football should take a lead from rugby where teams take internationals as part of being successful but still carry on league fixtures – obviously this would mean the FA taking a financial hit so never gonna happen
AndyE93
Mar 17, 2011 at 10:37 PM
Comment #17TEvening lads, just been watching the Rangers PSV game there and i must say Ola Tovoinen is a quality player. Plays just in behind the striker and his link up play is excellent. Lens is decent at running at people when given space to do so. Not seen much of his final ball so unsure about whether he’d be a good signing or not but i would defo get Tovoinen
ochytoon
Mar 17, 2011 at 10:59 PM
Comment #18Looks like we well and truly ripped Liverpool off hahaha
GeordieGerman
Mar 17, 2011 at 11:09 PM
Comment #19listie, watched the game and my only thought was “something is missing here”. Then I realised what it was. Joey. Nobody can feed Carroll like Barton can… !
howay man
Mar 17, 2011 at 11:25 PM
Comment #20assuming barton gutierez and enrique are out;
———————–harper
taylor williamson campbell collocini simpson
————-Guthrie-Nolan-Tiote——
—————- Best-Lovenkrands
any 3 from these 4 as subs;
Ameobi Ferguson Ranger kuqi
One more big performance will put us safe.
GeordieGerman
Mar 17, 2011 at 11:49 PM
Comment #21howay man, If we’re going to park the bus I’d go…
———————–Harper
Simpson Williamson Campbell Collocini Taylor
———Guthrie-Tiote—Lovenkrands
——————–Nolan—-
——————–Best—————–
Bur dead honest Pardew won’t go for parking the bus. I’ve noticed that his game plan is attack.
GeordieGerman
Mar 17, 2011 at 11:51 PM
Comment #22Bur = But.
Vandinhio
Mar 18, 2011 at 12:57 AM
Comment #23Jose was on me flight the night coming into Newcastle so a cant see him playing this weekend if he hasn’t trained all week
G-Man
Mar 18, 2011 at 1:04 AM
Comment #24Why have i got this horrible feeling this season is starting to fall apart, not looking forward to the Stoke game one little bit………..
boater
Mar 18, 2011 at 1:15 AM
Comment #25Unlike with Chelsea, the minute’s silence at Anfield for Japan’s unimaginable week was impeccable. A really touching display. Hope we can deliver the same respect to our friends in Japan on Saturday.
Was with a Japanese girl for years, and got to know so many people from the country. Hard to think of a more dignified, classy and lovely bunch of folk.
Praying for some good news in Fukushima over the next few hours and days.
marcos_nufc_rj
Mar 18, 2011 at 1:25 AM
Comment #26in my opinion with Barton, Jose and Jonas out of the match the most suitable formation is 4-5-1. Harper, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, S. Taylor. Tiote,Perch, Guthrie, Nolan and Ranger. Best up front. Perch can play as a defensive midfielder as he is a versatile player. We need pack the midfield, we cannot let then change passes so fast and cross balls into our area.
Jammydodger
Mar 18, 2011 at 2:21 AM
Comment #27Jimiley change the record mate youre nepal gist wasnt funny when you first did it
Its not productive, enthusiastic or funny so just stop, you sound the tard and im sure like most of the rest of the guys on here we start readin then think ohh its him being a tit again
Jammydodger
Mar 18, 2011 at 2:23 AM
Comment #28Side point hahahaha hope carroll enjoys being on the bench for the rest of the season
shearermania
Mar 18, 2011 at 4:07 AM
Comment #29jimiley..
i thought it was pretty funny and im starting to buy into the idea of kurt yak spearheading our forward line…..must agree he would be a bargain.
dont know if he can get an eu passport though.
i enjoyed the change from the constant bitching and slacking of pardew, ashley and relegation
shearermania
Mar 18, 2011 at 4:12 AM
Comment #30i would play 3 at the back – making sure they contain the lump carew and the dirty mackem jones.
6 in midfield making sure their wide boys pennent and etherington being ckosed down.
1 upfront best – their defense is sloppy we will get 1 goal….million dollar question is how many will they score against us on set plays.
i fear huth….hes not only ugly as hell hes dangerous as well as his head is the size of a basketball
Brutooon
Mar 18, 2011 at 8:18 AM
Comment #31Carroll join Liverpool
Liverpool out of the Europa League
Jinx?
connor_nufc
Mar 18, 2011 at 9:47 AM
Comment #32Carroll played rubbish yesterday I think that we got a very gd deal with that 35 million 🙂
Davies
Mar 18, 2011 at 11:29 AM
Comment #33Does anyone else think that these three lads’ hearts just aren’t in it now?
What’s frustrating about this is that they say they’re holding off on signing new contracts until we’re safe (apart from Barton), but they’re just not playing for us. They’re almost ensuring that we aren’t safe with this attitude and making a path for their own departure. If we don’t see improvements on the pitch and players getting back from injuries that I don’t really believe would have kept them out as long as they have, I’ll be pretty glad to see the back of them, good players or not.
Joey Barton needs to stop his talking and take the two years on the end of his contract. It’s not as if we won’t renew it if he’s still playing well up to his last year. If ever a player owed a club, it’s Joey Barton.
Point the finger at the fat man all you want, but if a player simply won’t play, does he deserve the right to ask for anything at all. It’s impossible for any of these players to take a moral stand of any kind, when they’re basically holding the club to ransome. I’m beginning to get a bit sick of it.
steve1980
Mar 18, 2011 at 2:33 PM
Comment #34I reckon all this is wierd as well. Is there another club like us, all this double speak and rubbish about ‘not risking’ players etc. A player is either fit or he isn’t.
Very suspect that Barton and Jose Enrique are currently ‘injured’. Its total conjecture, but it looks fairly obvious both were upset by Carroll’s departure and, perhaps more telling, the owners reluctance to strengthen the team when we had momentum after smashing West Ham 5 0.
You can say Barton owes the club, i may agree that he does. But Jose Enrique went through the C’ship with the club, played almost every game and was magnificent. But it comes to a point when a player hitting top form needs to know the clubs long term ambition.
The selling of Andy Carroll was proof if anymore was needed that Ashley doesn’t have any long term vision, other than ‘buy em cheap, sell em big, start the process all over again’. He thinks its the Arsenal model, but forgets that Arsenal’s scouting system is second to none, and Wenger always keeps a core squad for many seasons – look at the Fabregas situation. He wanted to go, but it wasn’t the correct time for the club, so he didn’t go. He’ll go, and go for big money when he does, but it’ll be at a time when it doesn’t hurt the club, but rather benefits it.
Ashley had no thought as to how the selling of Carroll would utterly wreck moral, trust and belief in this club, from fans, and players alike. His instincts and feel for the right moment and right move are absolutely appalling, shockingly misguided.
Like Keegan said about Milner, selling him wasn’t an issue – selling him without a replacement was! If we’d have brought in say Elmander, along with Kranjcar and Larsson, and sold Carroll for 35m, i honestly would’ve said ‘good business’ and we’d have got by. Strengthening the squad but also recognising that some offers can’t be turned down, fair enough.