19 year -old defender Shane Ferguson will start his first Premier league game ever this afternoon against Wolves, as Jose Enrique has failed his fitness test.
It will be a tough debut for the Irishman, although he was the Man of the Match in the last outing at Stoke City, and looked very accomplished for one so young.
And as expected 23 year-old Danny Guthrie gets a chance to start in the defensive midfield position, in place of the suspended Cheick Tiote.
There are not many surprises in this side, and it’s the one we named yesterday in our Match Preview.
But James Tavernier, who is back from his successful loan spell at Gateshead, and is named on the bench alongside another teenager, Nile Ranger, who we expect to get a run-out at some stage this afternoon.
And there is no Stephen Ireland, even on the bench, and we assume Alan Pardew does not want to risk him today, because he is barred from playing against his club, Aston Villa, next week.
It’s a pay as you go deal with Ireland, so Newcastle are not losing any money on the deal, but it would have been nice to have seen this lad play, as it’s now been over two months since he arrived on Tyneside.
For Wolves, Jamie O’Hara, on loan from Spurs, starts this game and could be a goal threat, and Wolves’ two young wingers, Adam Hammill and England International Matt Jarvis, are also in the starting line up.
Ebanks-Blake is drafted into the side in place of the injured Kevin Doyle.
This is a very important game for Newcastle, and a win would be fantastic, and only the second win in 11 games for the Magpies.
A defeat would be just terrible – a complete nightmare – and in fact too hard to take for most Newcastle fans – if the truth be told.
So on that last note of desperation …….. Howay The Lads!!
Teams:
Newcastle (4-4-2): Harper; Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Ferguson; Barton, Guthrie, Nolan (c), Gutierrez; Ameobi, Lovenkrands
Subs: Krul, Tavernier, Perch, Campbell, Taylor, Ranger, Kuqi
Wolves:(4-5-1):Hennessey; Foley, Stearman, Berra, Elokobi; Hammill, Milijas, Henry (c), O’Hara, Jarvis; Sylvan Ebanks-Blake
Subs: Hahnemann, Craddock, Mancienne,Jones, Kightly, Ward, Fletcher,
315 comments so far
geoff777
Apr 2, 2011 at 2:13 PM
Comment #14-4-2 and no one out of position. Good.
Weak bench hope no midfield players get injured. After Saylor & Ranger who do you want to come on?
boonarmy
Apr 2, 2011 at 2:17 PM
Comment #2any links people ?
WWJBD
Apr 2, 2011 at 2:17 PM
Comment #3KUQI
give him 20 minutes and see what he can do! From what I’ve seen of his 2 minute run outs hes a monster who scares defences specially when they are tired. Might as well give him a shout
carrollsinger
Apr 2, 2011 at 2:18 PM
Comment #4Where’s ireland thought he had been training all week and what about raylor???
The Carnivorous Badger
Apr 2, 2011 at 2:18 PM
Comment #5The Guardian seemed to think Stephen Ireland would play or at least make the bench. Admittedly, it was Louise Taylor, but it’s dissappointing that he’s still not fit.
lewman
Apr 2, 2011 at 2:18 PM
Comment #6rooney just got another against west ham
Stuart
Apr 2, 2011 at 2:18 PM
Comment #7I thought Ireland was fit? I was at least expecting him to be on the bench like.
At this rate he won’t play for us at all this season!
dawid182
Apr 2, 2011 at 2:18 PM
Comment #8Where the f*ck is Ireland? I already can’t believe it!!! Why Willo starts? Taylor should be there! Lovenkrands?? OMG He sucks same like Willo!
Sinner
Apr 2, 2011 at 2:19 PM
Comment #9Subs: Krul, Tavernier, Perch, Campbell, Taylor, Ranger, Kuqi
What kinda of joke is that!
Only Pardew could have done such a thing!We’ve got no cover for midfield players.
When is he going to trust youngsters like Vuckic,Richardson and Airey. 🙁
And again playing Lovenkrands and Ameobi!
;____;
Stuart
Apr 2, 2011 at 2:19 PM
Comment #10I think Raylors still banned carrollsinger.
cheikmate
Apr 2, 2011 at 2:20 PM
Comment #11That is a poor looking bench no real impact other ranger, shame to not see ireland even make the bench.
I hope loven gets a goal early on, time for guthrie to show he can still play a big part for us.
Vinicinhos
Apr 2, 2011 at 2:21 PM
Comment #12I prefer Enrique out, ’cause he can recover to next match.And Ferguson deserve this chance.
I don’t like Guhtrie, but I hope that he can do a good match.
And I’m happy to see Tavernier on the bench, I hope that he could receive a chance.
Foxworth
Apr 2, 2011 at 2:21 PM
Comment #13Where is Ireland??
Like Geoff777 says bench is weak – not one midfielder on there. Even putting Airey or Donaldson or Vuckic (if fit) woulda been better!
Regardless of that i reckon we’re due a HUGE win today like 5-1 or 6-1! HWTL!!!!!!
cheikmate
Apr 2, 2011 at 2:21 PM
Comment #14any good streams for the match ?
dawid182
Apr 2, 2011 at 2:22 PM
Comment #15Where is Ireland????????? I already can’t believe it!!! Taylor should starts! Seriously, Willo and Loven?? OMG We’ll lose, again! Lovenkrands can’t scores! No one sees?
Vinicinhos
Apr 2, 2011 at 2:22 PM
Comment #16Where’s Ireland???
WWJBD
Apr 2, 2011 at 2:22 PM
Comment #17(unsurprisingly) totally forgot about Ireland. Maybe we are holding off playing him so we never start paying his wages, villa pick up the tab and he gets a geordie holiday?
WWJBD
Apr 2, 2011 at 2:23 PM
Comment #18Man U pen gutted for west ham
cheikmate
Apr 2, 2011 at 2:24 PM
Comment #19in fact that is a terrible bench !!! were gona struggle for goals and not one player on the bench has a league goal for newcastle !!!
Vinicinhos
Apr 2, 2011 at 2:25 PM
Comment #20Ameobi and Lovenkrands = No Goals.
Put Kuqi…
textbook.ie
Apr 2, 2011 at 2:28 PM
Comment #21if it were me
harps
simpson taylor colo perch
jonas barton nolan fergi
strola ranger
where is ireland???
Angryman the Angry fan
Apr 2, 2011 at 2:29 PM
Comment #22I said it before and I’ll say it again! The signing of Ireland was unnecessary and a joke!
Right again Angryman!
Sinner
Apr 2, 2011 at 2:29 PM
Comment #23Ireland failed the fitness test. 🙁
carrollsinger
Apr 2, 2011 at 2:30 PM
Comment #24Ranger needs to play at least 45 mins loven is a bag of shite!!!!!
Vinicinhos
Apr 2, 2011 at 2:30 PM
Comment #25I would like if Alan put Donaldson, Airey or Ranger and no Lovenkrands
dawid182
Apr 2, 2011 at 2:31 PM
Comment #26Nobody understand that! Ireland the best singing what I’ve ever seen!
textbook.ie
Apr 2, 2011 at 2:31 PM
Comment #27hahahha a bag of shite- brilliant
WWJBD
Apr 2, 2011 at 2:31 PM
Comment #28Angryman what if its a ireland goal in the last game of the season that keeps us up? it unnecessay and a joke then?
paddyq
Apr 2, 2011 at 2:34 PM
Comment #29any links for todays game boys?
also, cant understand the consistent inclusion of the ameobi/lovenkrands partnership. how many goals has it yielded so far? Id give ranger or even Kuqi a chance….
if theres any aussie football fans out there, check out my blog!
http://ozfutbol.blogspot.com/
Angryman the Angry fan
Apr 2, 2011 at 2:35 PM
Comment #30WWJBD,?
And your point is?
Oh sorry, then he will have been value! ??
Ok!!!
kimbo
Apr 2, 2011 at 2:37 PM
Comment #31Lose today then it looks like we will be relegated,done league predictor on BBC and we need 42 points to avoid the drop.45 points could see us 9th in league that how close it will be.
WWJBD
Apr 2, 2011 at 2:39 PM
Comment #32my point is you havent seen him play in the black and white yet ur slating us getting him in on loan. From what I’ve heard we dont pay his wages til he plays for us so we arent losing any money until he is fit.
And yeah mate if he gets a goal that keeps us up he will of been value…..you disagree?
nightfa11
Apr 2, 2011 at 2:40 PM
Comment #33if alan plans to play ben arfa in a central role..then there’s no room for ireland in our midfield next season.. & with this > him not playing..always injured..i dont see us signing him.
shearermania
Apr 2, 2011 at 2:40 PM
Comment #34kuqi come on lads,,,why dont we just throw the towel straight away…..the dinasaur has enough air for 5 mins and thats it.
have faith….. alibi peter and the donkey will both score today..ill promise
lewman
Apr 2, 2011 at 2:41 PM
Comment #35cheickmate, taylor has a few pl goals but i can still see your point
dawid182
Apr 2, 2011 at 2:41 PM
Comment #36the wolves squad it’s too good, Ebanks-Blake is so dangerous
textbook.ie
Apr 2, 2011 at 2:41 PM
Comment #37BITCH FIGHT
Thump
Apr 2, 2011 at 2:41 PM
Comment #38I’d sooner Kuqi over Lovenkrands. Not even joking.
shearermania
Apr 2, 2011 at 2:42 PM
Comment #39paddyq im an exiled geordie living in melbourne…ill check out your blog..btw love the daylight saving….not too late tonight
boater
Apr 2, 2011 at 2:42 PM
Comment #40Shola for the opener. You heard it here. He’s due a goal.