We have a sneaking suspicion that Sammy Ameobi will keep his place for the game at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Newcastle’s weapon – in action at the Etihad Stadium Saturday
And that’s even if Gabriel Obertan is fit again, and we think the Frenchman could start on the bench, even though the game is against his former club.
Alan Pardew talked about Sammy to the local press today:
“I was pleased for Sammy after Man City.” “It was a tough call on Sammy to play, but he was terrific.”
“He embarrassed Clichy a couple of times.” “I was pleased – Sammy is very much a weapon for us this season.”
It will be another tough call for Alan on Saturday, no doubt about it, and of course he will also have to decide whether to start Ben Arfa, with Leon Best likely to be fit, but we think he’ll keep the Frenchman in the starting line-up.
These are good problems for the Newcastle manger to have with players coming back from injury, and we should be able to field a top side against the Red Devils on Saturday.
On the loan front, goalkeeper Steve Harper is back in Toon after playing five times for Brighton over the last month, and we think if anything happens to standout young goalkeeper Tim Krul, Steve will be the one to come in, rather than Rob Elliot, if only because of his vast experience.
The news today is that the 36-year-old veteran will have another one of those injections on his knee, which seems to have troubled him for a while now.
And James Tavernier, who turned 20 on Halloween, didn’t stay long at Newcastle, after completing another excellent loan spell at Carlisle United, where the Bradford born lad played 17 times for the club.
James again got some great reviews, and that goes with the 18 appearances he made at Gateshead earlier this year, where he was also a standout.
James is off to Sheffield Wednesday, under manager Gary Megson, and his loan will be until mid January, so he will be able to add to the 35 first team games already played this year, and it will do him the world of good.
This is what we will see with a lot of Newcastle’s up and coming youngsters, as they gain experience playing first team football out on loan, and we would expect James to be ready to challenge for a first team place next season at St. James’ Park.
Comments welcome.
5 comments so far
Toon_Tom
Nov 22, 2011 at 12:34 PM
Comment #1I know i havent posted in a while – but Kevymartins leant me some machem bog-roll so I have been really busy!!!!!! haha
niffnoff
Nov 22, 2011 at 12:36 PM
Comment #2Tom… you been using used bog roll? You sick man.
On topic. Sammy is actually really amazing considering people label him a striker. But seems a good winger. Ha
Toon_Tom
Nov 22, 2011 at 12:40 PM
Comment #3haha – only because it is SMB roll 🙂
– Sammy will have a better carea with us than his big brother imo. Sammy looks like an all rounder. Agree with u niffnoff that he looks excellent on the wing, is capable of dribling and keeping ahold of the ball. We are yet to see much of his crossing ability, but at 19 he can only improve on all aspects of his game.
Definitely one for the future (until MA wishes to cash in)
boater
Nov 22, 2011 at 12:52 PM
Comment #4There are 4 decisions for Pardew now – Best or Arfa? Sammi or Oba? Santon or Raylor? Tiote or Guthrie?
Guthrie’s done well but you can’t not play tiote/cabaye when fit. Raylor keeps his place all day. Best is a hardworking squad option – but if he’s not scoring it’s time to switch to the matchwinning creativity of Arfa. Obertan is probably the starter if fit.. but I do think it’s only a matter of time before Sammy takes over – can’t see Obertan scoring many – definitely not Sammy’s 25 yd. corkers.
LEROI
Nov 22, 2011 at 1:23 PM
Comment #5Here’s my thinking. start sammy coz evra &co are unfamiliar with him. he’ll be a conundrum to contain on there left side. When evra is looking tired bring obertan on coz Oba know’s him from those old training days and Oba’s speed will be too much 4 evra & that by then anyway.