The last time Newcastle played at Villa Park was in early April, and Newcastle did not play well that day.
Steven Taylor – it will be a difficult game
Newcastle were beaten 1-0 and the attack was like puff pastry in that game, and we hardly threatened at all, and it was not unlike the game on Monday night, although Aston Villa didn’t have the chances QPR spurned in the 0-0 draw at Loftus Road.
And of course we had beaten Villa 6-0 at home in the first home game in August, but that was a bit of a freak result, with Newcastle converting almost every chance they had in that game, and Andy Carroll got a hat-trick, his first and last for the club, as it turned out.
The saving grace for Newcastle this season so far, is while they have had to to take a lot of pressure at the back, the defense has stood tall in all the games, and the lads have still conceded only one goal in their four league games.
If Newcastle are to get anything out of the game tomorrow, the defense will again need to be in top form.
Center-back Steven Taylor has been one of the star men so far this season, and he has no illusions about how tough this game will be, which is being televised live around the world.
Steven had this to say today on the Newcastle web-site:
“They have got a massive pitch down there compared to QPR where we played on Monday night, so it will be a very different game”
“But it will be difficult. We know what they are about. They beat us there last year, but we just have to concentrate on ourselves and worry about ourselves rather than them.”
“They’ve got internationals, top quality players, pace throughout the side and are defensively very good.” “For us, we are going to have to try and perform like we can perform, and concentrate on us – that’s what it’s all about.”
“We fight for each other. We limit them to chances inside the box, and there’s desire from everybody not to let them have an easy shot. The lads have been fantastic this season.”
One concern we have about tomorrow is the pace they have in their side, and after watching the QPR vs Newcastle game, manager Alex McLeish is likely to put their fastest player out on the right wing to take on Ryan Taylor, who just couldn’t handle the very speedy Wright-Phillips on Monday night.
That’s a concern we have about this game, plus the fact that Newcastle are already almost down to the bare bones in defense, with Davide Santon now joining Mike Williamson out injured.
Comments welcome.
14 comments so far
no1magpie
Sep 16, 2011 at 9:58 AM
Comment #1We need to be at our best most defo. But i honestly believe another draw would be smashing…. however i think pardew has got to be mad not to give gosling a game. He is fresh, fit and can control the midfield, work hard and score the old goal…..
sammydolan
Sep 16, 2011 at 9:58 AM
Comment #2Very annoyed i cant go to this game with the crappy 1 ticket I can only get….
roshan MAGPIE
Sep 16, 2011 at 9:59 AM
Comment #3I think we should bring in shame ferguson for left back for 80 min then ryan taylor next
redondo77
Sep 16, 2011 at 10:02 AM
Comment #4need off the ball running from striker(s) and midfields, so Cabaye can pick them up with superb passing
Ollieh51
Sep 16, 2011 at 10:04 AM
Comment #5@ SammyDolan – Saw your post the other day about that mate…
Really grates on me as most away games I go to it’s me and my 2 mates that go.
What we’ll do is next time you’re looking for a ticket and I’m not at a game myself, I’ll let you log in as me and post it to you so you can still go.
Think it takes the piss that we can’t buy multiple tickets!
BiffBaffBoff
Sep 16, 2011 at 10:06 AM
Comment #6redondo77
Off the ball running strikers, like Mr Anonymous Lovernkrands or Shola Ameobi? 😛
Take a look at Ameobi in the club photo’s hes sitting right next to the coaching staff and manager sharing a joke with them and laughing. He’s definitely starting tomorrow as Pardew loves him.
Common sense would say to put 3 in the middle and play best alone upfront as he makes runs and has decent movement or atleast put Ba and Best together and just drop Ameobi for one game!
geordie.In.Taipei
Sep 16, 2011 at 10:13 AM
Comment #7Think Gosling, or marveax needs to be in tomorrow. I would like to think ferguson too but i cant see Pardew being that daring. What is definate is that we have to have something different…and gosling or marveux may just have that little something that can help us link up, pass and create something.
redondo77
Sep 16, 2011 at 10:13 AM
Comment #8@Biff
I mean like the MU play not how Shola plays hahahha
BiffBaffBoff
Sep 16, 2011 at 10:14 AM
Comment #9I dont know why Marveux hasnt started, its nothing to do with fitness because he lasted 120mins vs Scunthorpe and everytime I’ve seen him he works hard and seems to have something about him.
jamesnufc86
Sep 16, 2011 at 10:17 AM
Comment #10Im going to the game by myself for the first time , it is rubbish that you cant get multiple tickets like. for the match
Krul
Simpson Saylor Colo Ferguson
Tiote
Obertan Cabaye Gosling Guti
Ba
sammydolan
Sep 16, 2011 at 10:30 AM
Comment #11@Ollieh51 – are you on facebook, let me add you on there & we’ll have a chat… I was thinking that I could add you under my account, if i pay for the ticket, I am guessing they will come to me? whats your email?
laurentrobert32
Sep 16, 2011 at 11:04 AM
Comment #12jamesnufc i would deffo play that team. possibly start with best and then bring on ba later but apart from that spot on. wouldnt mind seeing marveaux get at least half an hour as well.
John
Sep 16, 2011 at 11:09 AM
Comment #13Im not to impressed with Cabaye at all hes a holding player and tiote is a defensive holding player meaning their is huge gaps from the CM to the ST if best or shola comes to win a header (coz we do like to play the long ball) theirs no one running in behind like nolan, obertan, or jose on the other side, jonas is starting to be shown up for wat he is now that jose is gone, Pardew preached that we are a better tec team nowadays I like everyone else are still waiting to see it.
wynsleap
Sep 16, 2011 at 11:58 AM
Comment #14Would play 5 across the middle with Marveaux just behind Best.
Still think we can get a good point tomorrow.