Newcastle will soon have some very difficult games coming up, where they’ll be lucky to get many points on the board against the three best sides in the Premier League.
Alan Pardew with assistant coaches John Carver and Steve Stone
Here’s the Newcastle schedule once we arrive at the 19th November, and these are the games we have on three successive Saturdays:
Sat 19 15:00 A Manchester City Sat 26 15:00 A Manchester United December Sat 03 12:45 H Chelsea
So it’s not really surprising that manager Alan Pardew is keen to get as many points on the board as he can, before that string of three very tough games comes along.
And he would love for Newcastle to make St. James’ Park a fortress once again, as Chris Hughton did when Newcastle were in the Championship, and the Magpies went unbeaten at home for a full season under the impressive Chris Hughton.
This is what the Newcastle manager told the local press today:
“We want to be solid and resolute, and make St James’s Park back into the fortress it once was,” “I know what an intimidating place it can be – I’ve played up here and managed up here as opposition.”
“We want teams to be on the back foot here, and the fans play their part in that.” “I think that offensively we have got a good side, and we want to continue that.” “I think this is a watershed game for us,”
“It’s a watershed in terms of just how strong Spurs are.” “If we could put in a performance, then it’ll really give us confidence ahead of our games coming up against the really top sides in the Premier League next month.”
“We’re under no illusions – nobody is, in that dressing room,” “There are difficult games ahead, and we can find out where we are in the next few weeks. We did well against the top sides last year.”
“Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Spurs were teams that we all gave a game to.” “I expect this to be a hell of a game too. It’s a great game for the fans too – there’s pace all over the pitch.”
“You only have to look at one wing. You’re going to have Gareth Bale flying down one way, and then Gabby Obertan’s pace on the same side going the other way.” “That match-up alone should whet the appetite.”
We think it will be a stern test for Newcastle on Sunday, there’s no doubt about that, and we’ll all have a better idea after the game just how good Newcastle are.
But we’re not getting carried away either, and we know full well that Newcastle are nowhere near a top four side.
But there again, we could be closer than we thought we were on September 1st.
Howay The Lads!!
Comments welcome.
10 comments so far
Shorzy
Oct 14, 2011 at 1:19 PM
Comment #1Numero juan!!
GeordieToon89
Oct 14, 2011 at 1:21 PM
Comment #2so Obertan is defo starting
GeordieToon89
Oct 14, 2011 at 1:21 PM
Comment #3my team would be:
————–Krul
Simo-Taylor-Colo-Santon
——-Cabaye–Tiote
Marveaux-Ben Arfa-Jonas
————–Ba
Shorzy
Oct 14, 2011 at 1:23 PM
Comment #4You have to be confident going into this game. Football is a confidence game and we have bags of it at the moment albeit going about it in a quiet way. I really hope we go for it but I would have to start HBA in this game in place of Best, bit harsh but I feel HBA would offer far more dropping off. REally looking forward to it as this game will show how far we’ve actually come.
GeordieToon89
Oct 14, 2011 at 1:27 PM
Comment #5tbh think my team could easily destroy spuds backline and win the battles in the centre of midfield.. only threat to us and every other prem team is Bale and to an extent Lennon providing Adebayor and VDV aint playing
Dannyo
Oct 14, 2011 at 1:27 PM
Comment #6Yup GerodieToon89, seems like Obertan is starting. That means Raylor is most likely starting aswell.
Lets hope we bang in a couple early on so the lads settle a bit after the international break.
There’s allot of pressure on them for this game.
GeordieToon89
Oct 14, 2011 at 1:27 PM
Comment #72-1 win
nden85
Oct 14, 2011 at 1:42 PM
Comment #8I’ll personally slap pardew in the face if HBA, santon and marv aren’t given half an hour each
Hoppefot79
Oct 14, 2011 at 2:14 PM
Comment #9I’d take 7 points from those 3 games Any day! Feeling confident
Graeme
Oct 14, 2011 at 5:27 PM
Comment #10Ed, 5 points from those three games would be a good return me thinks!!!
Two away draws followed by a home win – what’s the problem lol