Birmingham’s former Aston Villa midfielder Craig Gardner starts a two-match suspension and will miss the game with Newcastle tomorrow.
Craig Gardner – suspended for two games
Craig, who’s just 24, was sent off against Wolves last weekend after only 26 minutes when he received a second yellow card for diving.
To be fair to Gardner, he admitted he had dived after the game and apologized to his manager, although he had little other option, because TV replays clearly showed he was not touched by a Wolves defender, before he made his rather dramatic swan dive.
Do these guys practice these in training? They seem to be rather good at the simulation, as it is sometimes called.
This is probably good news for Newcastle, because Gardner is a very decent player, and it seems that Spurs loan player David Bentley will also not be starting tomorrow.
David was not included even as substitute in the vital game against Wolves at St. Andrews last week, which ended up 1-1, and he simply walked out of the dressing room in a huff.
How’s that for a mature and overpaid footballer?
David could well be on the bench tomorrow, but the danger man could well be Newcastle transfer target Seb Larsson, who’s been in great form for Birmingham this year.
Seb scored their goal last weekend and also hit the bar direct from a free kick, and he could well be the player Newcastle need to watch out for.
Let’s hope the 25 year-old doesn’t try to impress Newcastle manager Alan Pardew too much, by having a stormer tomorrow.
The Swedish International, who started his career at Arsenal, can keep those performances for then he’s a Newcastle player next season. 😀
Newcastle have just two wins in their last 15 games since early January, and this is the best chance in the three remaining games of getting their 11th win of the season.
Comments welcome.
11 comments so far
jarnytoon
May 6, 2011 at 1:01 PM
Comment #1good!! him and zigic are there only goal scorers aint they! both out….happy days!
NickeAlvaro
May 6, 2011 at 1:16 PM
Comment #2Interesting that a good few of us were desperate to get Bentley in, then we heavily criticized the management for not getting him.
Maybe they knew, like most of us that hes a complete tool?
That being said, we beat them at their patch and we can do it at ours!
Andy
May 6, 2011 at 1:19 PM
Comment #3I Jonas had Carr all over in that game and set up 2 i think. Same tactic should be employed. Expect a clean sheet tomorrow and maybe 2 or 3. However with the way we have been playing of late it’ll probably be a ground out 1-1
jimmymagpie
May 6, 2011 at 1:22 PM
Comment #4Looks like a bloody awful 0-0 then! I’m more concerned about the crap that Pardew comes out with every time he opens his mouth. Remember, Gosling was going to be back in 3 weeks after his second operation? that was the beginning of February, and I told you the lad was struggling to save his career, well it’s been a bloody long 3 weeks. Ben Arfa has gone back to France for treatment – is he actually a NUFC player, or does he just think as I do, that the backroom room staff is crap?There are serious things wrong at this club at the moment, and it is manifesting itself on the pitch with only 2 wins out of 14. That is form that would have got any other manager the sack! But with an unambitious owner paying peanuts, you do end up with a 4th rate MD, 3rd rate manager, and 2nd rate players and support staff.Until Ashley sells, a return to the Championship is inevitable, sooner rather than later.
Markaccus
May 6, 2011 at 1:25 PM
Comment #5Mcliesh has said bentley is playing, and that he didn’t walk out in a huff, just that “he wasn’t aware” that he should stay in case of last min injuries in the warm up. Either that’s a porkie, or bentley is as thick as pig plop!
Toon Sweden77
May 6, 2011 at 1:37 PM
Comment #6No to impressed with players leaving the stadium just because they hasnt been choosed to start. Shame really, Bentley would have been a good player to add to the Newcastle squad if he had been willing to fight for his shirt. But now – No thanks.
Toon Sweden77
May 6, 2011 at 1:38 PM
Comment #7I actually belives that Seb Larsson began his carreer in Eskilstuna… 🙂
wynsleap
May 6, 2011 at 2:08 PM
Comment #8Jimmymagpie – nice to see someone who knows the score.
Unfortunately there are too many Toon supporters who let their blind devotion to the Club rule their heads by accepting everything that goes on – all instigated by our illustrious Controller who has a “plan”.
I think this next window is going to tell us everything about the direction he wants this club to go in. It’s gonna be interesting.
jimmymagpie
May 6, 2011 at 2:13 PM
Comment #9Wynsleap – interesting certainly, and disappointing to a few. Even Jay Bothroyd is being mentioned for heaven’s sake!
JIMMYBOB33
May 6, 2011 at 4:58 PM
Comment #10Its A bloody nightmare waiting 4 this summer not noing wots going happen 2words FAT ASH??? With the money we got offa judas £35mil then we have our normal transfer Budget since we never spent a penny in january it should be anything from £15 – £20mil and a few players will out the door to free some wages UP for fresh players 60k “SMITH” it makes me laugh when people say we should keep him he,s awful sol 35k a week xsico 55k a week Shola 35k a week Peter lovery boy 30k shefli Kuqi Admits Furture concerns on sky sports Does he really think hes playing for a longer contract another wage free???? we,ve got sponser money Northen Rock another New Newcastle Shirt on sale i thought they were only aloud 2 bring them out every 2 years whats up with that any body????? Season ticket money the advertising money offa those things he erectet all around st james park and any players we sell the transfer money straight back in 4 new blood if you add that up?? In reallaty we should have about £50 to £65 MILLION Quid on transfers alone no wages or under ground heating Nobody seems mention this and would be happy at Spending £15 – £20mil offa the £35 and the rest towards wages And forget about the rest its like every bodys been brain washed hearing the same shit every day and there are just excepting it im all for the way we have turned the club around money wise!!!! Like not paying the owens of this world £40mil for 18 goals in 41 games over 4 years “SHOCKING” But we still need ambtion we could get 5 6 7 players of quality in and for and for gods sake at least 2 strikers in fact 3 HWTL PS FAT IS JUST GETTING ENOUGH MONEY AS HE CAN GET BACK AND HE WILL SELL I JUST NO IT
Sav
May 7, 2011 at 1:45 AM
Comment #11Great.
2 teams with no strikers.
It’ll be like watching a heavyweight contest only both boxers are wearing giant foam hands.