Newcastle will play tonight at Gateshead, and it will be a good chance to get beyond the upsets of the last few days surrounding Joey Barton.
James Tavernier – will start tonight
It’s a delicate time of the season, and we cannot have the lads do what happened two years ago, and start to lose games when here was complete chaos at the club, and hopefully the powers that be, such as Alan Pardew and the senior players at the club, will not let that happen.
What’s obvious now, be it good, bad or indifferent, is that Newcastle will move ahead next season without Joey Barton or Jose Enrique.
James Tavernier was on loan at Gateshead earlier this year, and he’s so far had a very good pre-season, although he looked just a little uncomfortable at left back at Leeds United on Sunday, and the 19 year-old is part of a strong squad for the short trip over the River Tyne tonight.
Steve Harper, Alan Smith, Ryan Taylor and Mike Williamson will all be involved tonight, as well as young guns Sammy Ameobi, the impressive Haris Vuckic (another goal?), Paul Dummett and Mehdi Abeid, all of whom have already played for the first team this pre-season and looked good.
It would be good if Newcastle can get a win tonight against the Blue Square Premier side, if only to raise the confidence of the lads, after the poor display at Leeds on Sunday, and the Joey Barton affair that’s unfolded over the last day or two, and seemingly caused a little bit of chaos within the squad.
Tavernier will be very used to playing at the International Stadium, and he had this to say to the Newcastle official site this afternoon:
“That loan spell did me a lot of good in terms of playing games and gaining experience, so it will be good to go back to Gateshead and play for Newcastle.
“I had a good time there and if I’m in the team on Tuesday it will be great to play there again.”
We assume James will get a start at right back and Mike Williamson needs more playing time and will also start the game, and then Alan Pardew will likely pick his strongest side for the game on Saturday at St. James’ Park against Fiorentina.
And that starting eleven should be a good guide as to what the starting line-up will be against the Gunners a week on Saturday, in the first PL game of the season.
A couple of wins before the lads meet Arsenal would be very good, and it would help raise the spirits of Newcastle fans, that’s for sure.
And one more thing – no injuries.
Comments welcome.
333 comments so far
Thump
Aug 2, 2011 at 7:20 PM
Comment #321@joppadoodledoo: Don’t worry mate, I’ll be here to ridicule them.
Hell, I’m not picky; I’ll ridicule anybody.
jackdnufc
Aug 2, 2011 at 7:20 PM
Comment #322http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20110802/gateshead-v-newcastle-xi-team-news_2281670_2408338?
team for tonight.
Offkey
Aug 2, 2011 at 7:20 PM
Comment #323Didn’t Pardew say it would almost be all first teamers…….
aDeadlyTicTac
Aug 2, 2011 at 7:21 PM
Comment #324Fair play. Am I the only one here who rates Vuckic and Abeid really highly? I think they’ll both break into the first team next season with ease. Both have the confidence to run with the ball and play killer passes. I say give them playing time whilst they have such confidence. I think them two [And Ba] Will be the surprises of the season.
Thump
Aug 2, 2011 at 7:21 PM
Comment #325@Offkey: That is our first team.
joppadoni
Aug 2, 2011 at 7:22 PM
Comment #326joppadoodledoo? arrrgh!!! that cost like 30 quid on me shirt!
Thump
Aug 2, 2011 at 7:23 PM
Comment #327@TicTac: Nah mate, I’m in the same boat. I’ve been chatting with Abeid on and off and he’s a class act, really impressed by what I’ve seen of him. Both will play back up roles this season (similar to Fergie last season) and will be looking to break in the following. Vuckic is just outstanding – all he needs is a bit of confidence.
joppadoni
Aug 2, 2011 at 7:23 PM
Comment #328do i also have to make toast??!
joppadoni
Aug 2, 2011 at 7:25 PM
Comment #329got to admit im very impressed with vuckic on the forward foot. vision, the footwork, the pass, a good bit of movement and pace. as well as a semi decent shot..
Smooth moves Shola
Aug 2, 2011 at 7:26 PM
Comment #330TicTac – nay, I fully believe they’re streets ahead of Smith, Raylor, Guthrie and the like, in the talent gauge.
Really excited about Vukic!
Offkey
Aug 2, 2011 at 7:29 PM
Comment #331@Tictac
I haven’t seen enough of the lads to give a very valid opinion but anyway here it is, from what I have seen they look to have some quality.
captainawes0me
Aug 2, 2011 at 7:45 PM
Comment #332has anyone seen what mike ashley used to look like?!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ori0F897c-s
sweendog
Aug 2, 2011 at 8:35 PM
Comment #333Enrique to Liverpool for 7 mill .. a few posts on tw@ter saying its agreed ..