Newcastle are 4 points above Wolves on 36 points, and the very last thing we want to happen tomorrow, is to have Wolves gain points on Newcastle.
Unfortunately, Newcastle have let two teams that were lower in the league when they played Newcastle, gain all 3 points, and that’s a recipe for disaster. But that’s what has happened in the last two games against Everton at home, and at Stoke City.
Newcastle played only two games in March, and while one would have though that would have allowed any injuries to clear up, almost the opposite has happened.
Len Best and Stephen Ireland picked up injuries in training, although Stephen is expected to be fit for tomorrow’s game, and that would be his debut after being on Tyneside over two months.
In addition to injuries to Best, Ben Arfa, Gosling, Smith and Enrique (we’ll assume he’s out tomorrow), both Tiote and Ryan Taylor are suspended for this game, which is almost a must-win game for the Magpies against a side third bottom of the league.
If Newcastle cannot beat Wolves, who have only two wins and two draws in their 15 games on the road this season in the league, then a good question is – who can we beat?
Wolves have conceded 27 goals in their 15 away games, so we are hoping that Newcastle will be able to score a few goals tomorrow, even though the in-form Leon Best is out with his injured ankle.
It’s expected that Danny Guthrie will come in to replace Cheick Tiote in defensive midfield, and we would expect Alan Pardew to play in a 4-4-2 formation with possibly this side:
Harper
Simpson Coloccini Williamson Ferguson
Barton Guthrie Nolan (c) Gutierrez
Ameobi Lovenkrands
Subs: Krul Campbell Taylor (S) Ireland Perch Ranger Kuqi
James Perch is available for this game, and will miss the next game at Villa Park with his one game suspension, for receiving a red card while playing for the Newcastle Reserves last week.
And this is also Ryan Taylor’s third and final game he will miss, for his sending off against Bolton Wanderers almost five weeks ago, and Ryan will be available for the next game at Villa Park a week tomorrow.
There are a few keys to the game but one important one is that Newcastle do not give up soft goals, as they did against Stoke, where at least three of the goals were due to some diabolical defending from the Newcastle side.
A second key factor tomorrow is if Newcastle can score the goals in Leon Bests’ forced absence, and we expect both Peter Lovenkrands and Shola Ameobi to step up to the plate.
Both players are experienced, and will know a lot will depend on their performances in front of goal tomorrow, but in the past both players have proved they can knock that ball into the back of the net.
Nobody has to tell Alan Pardew or his players that tomorrow is an important game, and we expect to see the lads come out of their starting blocks like the proverbial steam train at 3:00 pm tomorrow afternoon.
A win tomorrow would be absolutely great, and will calm the nerves of Newcastle supporters everywhere – and that’s what we are hoping for tomorrow – and of course it’s important to stay positive as much as possible.
And after just two games in 5 weeks or so, tomorrow kicks off the last 7 weeks of the season, in which Newcastle have 8 games to play, and the Magpies complete the season with a home game against WBA seven weeks come Sunday.
We have to hope we are safe by that time, otherwise the finger nails will be rather short.
😀
What team would you start tomorrow?
Comments always welcome.
54 comments so far
NotAGhostToon
Apr 1, 2011 at 10:55 PM
Comment #41I’m worried about tommorow, but I’m hopeful of a 2-0 win. I’d definately like to see Nile get a prominent place. I think Guthrie might actually play ok if he starts, but again i’d like to see Ireland brought on with enough time to make an impact. HWTL
G-Man
Apr 1, 2011 at 11:47 PM
Comment #42gorskino10>
I think whatever money is available in the summer, the majority of, will be spent on a forward, even Pardew will know what we have is not good enough (forward’s wise) Ben Arfa will only improve & flourish with quality playing upfront with him……
baro
Apr 2, 2011 at 12:37 AM
Comment #43………………………………Harper…………………………
Simpson…….Willo………………..Colo…….Enrique
Guthrie……….Barton…………..Nolan………..Jonas
………………….Ranger…………..Ameobi……………..
Tomorrow hopefully we win! It will be an very important game for us. We win and we will be very comfortable. Alan Pardew did say that Stephen Ireland is not close to playing and can’t play against Aston Villa since he is on loan from them but will be ready for Manchester United hopefully. But Cheik Tiote is back for that game so Ireland will not make that match.
Newcastle United 2-1 Wolverhampton
Guthrie to score early on in the game
Nile Ranger will score right before halftime.
Warwick Hunt
Apr 2, 2011 at 12:54 AM
Comment #448 – 0.
Brutooon
Apr 2, 2011 at 1:19 AM
Comment #45i prefer barton to be in the middle, Nolan cant distribute the ball and only good in headers and running from midfield
Trent Toon
Apr 2, 2011 at 1:49 AM
Comment #46I think this game will be really tough for us but i can see us winning 2-1. With limited ability upfront i think Nolan will grab two goals and continue the great goal scoring this season.
terencelim
Apr 2, 2011 at 5:27 AM
Comment #47Give Nile Ranger a start and 3 points is ours!
john DSOUZA
Apr 2, 2011 at 5:58 AM
Comment #48Plz dnt start ameobi. Loverboy an ranger upfront would b intrestng ,as both hav good pace.
ilovetoon8788
Apr 2, 2011 at 6:47 AM
Comment #49we have a very average looking midfield and defence, capable of stiffling bottom teams, but our strikeforce, Ameobi and Lovens is as bad as it can come. I’m really worried tomorrow cause i don’t have the faith in Ameobi and Lovens 1 bit. I can’t see where the goal is going to come from. I’ll be delighted with a own-goal 1-0 win.
arfa chance
Apr 2, 2011 at 7:29 AM
Comment #50Morning lads. Had a dream about the match yesterday, I only heard the scoreline In my dream and We won 2-0 . Woke up before I heard who adored but I’m going with Barton free kick and nolan off a corner. I live in wolverhampton and had tickets to the match but had to sell them as I ruptured my Achilles last week. To be fair id be happy with Ameobi to score off a shanked shot and ranger in off his ass. One thing We all have to agree with bambi, he does tend to fluke a goal when We need it. HWTL
shearermania
Apr 2, 2011 at 7:35 AM
Comment #51my key player would be Jonas/……its his kind of game…hope he can deliver a good pass.
i reckon he will score , dont know why i normally dont rate him but i have a good feeling on this one…..Donkey will get a second one early on and from then it will lift the burden of their shoulders and it will be plain sailing 3-0 we will be safe and have a very strong end to trhe season…..
thats my omen anyway
Eaststander
Apr 2, 2011 at 7:47 AM
Comment #52Newcastle United would not be here without him.’ Quite honestly, that’s rubbish. The club is bigger than him, just as West Ham is bigger than us all. “Newcastle United will exist when Mike Ashley has gone to the great casino in the sky.”
Proper chairman.
NotAGhostToon
Apr 2, 2011 at 8:53 AM
Comment #53@ 1 I also felt Jonas was overdue today!
Nufc4Ever
Apr 2, 2011 at 1:46 PM
Comment #54Any links to the game??
Thanks 😉