Newcastle face a tough game at St. Jmes’k tomorrow against Chelsea, who are one point and one place below them in the Premier League.
Newcastle only need to draw this game to keep themselves in 4th position in the league and that will be the minimum that Alan Pardew will want to get out of the game.
But with the game a sell out more than a week ago, the Newcastle manager will want to get a win, so that the Newcastle fans can celebrate big time in Newcastle tomorrow night.
And who knows, a win and Alan may even take his wife down to the City center tomorrow night too.
Newcastle have today delayed the full tribute to Gary Speed until the game two weeks tomorrow against Welsh side Swansea City, at the request of Gary’s widow Louise. It seems appropriate that teh tribute will now be when Swansea City visit St. James’ Park.
But there will still be a minute’s round of applause before the game, and the Newcastle fans are hoping that there will many black and white scarfs at the game, so they can honor Gary Speed by waving the scarfs.
It may be a good time to play the Chelsea side who have lost three of their last five league games at QPR (1-0), at home to Arsenal (5-3) and at home to Liverpool (2-1), so the Pensioners seem to be vulnerable at this stage of the season.
The Chelsea defense has not been playing with John Terry seemingly past his best, and David Luiz all over the place when he’s played at center-back.
As far as Newcastle’s team for tomorrow goes, we had the surprise news that Cheick Tiote will again be out injured, which has fueled rumors that he’s being kept to sell to Chelsea in early January.
And just today Alan Pardew has talked again about Cheick’s injury, which means the Ivorian will miss his sixth consecutive game tomorrow:
“I want to apologise to them. That’s my fault, in a way.” “It’s a niggling injury. He hasn’t had a setback. It’s not his groin, and there’s nothing else going on.”
“It’s still his knee, but it’s taking longer than we had hoped.” “I said he would play this week, and he’s not going to play, so I’m not going to say he’s going to play at Norwich.”T“It’s going to take a while.” “Cheick’s a bit down about it. He’s desperate to play as he’s missed three big games.” “We’ve got to manage Cheick and get him back to his best as quick as we can.”
“He’s a very important player.”
Some of the papers today were talking about a groin strain that Cheick had suffered, so at least Pardew has said it’s still his knee, which he injured in the home game against Wigan Athletic back on 22nd October – so he’ll be out at least seven weeks with the injury.
It says something of Danny Guthrie’s form that Tiote’s absence has not caused a big hiccup in Newcastle’s form, and the lads are still 4th top of the league.
Mike Williamson is still out, but Leon Best if fit again, although Jonas Gutierrez will miss the game with a one match suspension following his sending off last Saturday at Old Trafford in the terrific 1-1 draw that the Magpies came away with, much to the anger of Alex Ferguson.
And we think it’s almost certain that Sammy Ameobi will start on the left wing, and otherwise it will be an unchanged side from last week:
Krul
Simpson Taylor (S) Coloccini ( Taylor (R)
Obertan Cabaye Guthrie Ameobi (Sa)
Ben Arfa
Demba Ba
Subs: Harper Santon Perch Gosling Ameobi (Sh) Best Lovenkrands
If Newcastle are to do well in this game the defense will once again need to be in top form, and maybe they can get their 5th clean sheet of the season.
Newcastle must also press the Chelsea defense, and we think the two wingers Ameobi and Obertan could be key, as they run at the Chelsea defense, and try to get around the back of the two full-backs.
Demba Ba has looked sharp and he is due a goal from open play, and this lad hasn’t missed too many chances this season.
And we also hope to see Ben Arfa continue his slow return to his top form, as the Frenchman will take on the Chelsea players when he gets anywhere near the penalty area.
So even though Newcastle are short of two key players in Tiote and Gutierrez, it is still a very good starting eleven, with a decent bench, and a big chance for young Sammy Ameobi to show the home fans what he can do.
Let’s hope he frightens the life out of the aging Chelsea defense tomorrow afternoon.
In this fixture last season Newcastle got a 1-1 draw, and we’d be happy enough with a point, but if Newcastle are to continue to shock the football world this season, they will need a win.
We think that is very possible if the lads play anywhere near their best form in front of 52,000 mad screaming Geordies who will be winning them to win.
Howay The Lads!!
146 comments so far
AP's Black & White Army
Dec 2, 2011 at 6:41 PM
Comment #1Ba to physically dominate Luiz and get him sent-off, Ben Arfa to torment and tippy-toe past Terry – 3 – 1 The Toon! 😀
angelswithdirtyfaces
Dec 2, 2011 at 6:48 PM
Comment #2Ba and HBA could really humiliate Luiz and Terry, As long as we perform solidly at the back we could go one better than last season.
roshan MAGPIE
Dec 2, 2011 at 6:48 PM
Comment #3it would be nice to see ben ARFA OBERTAN CABAYE in france euro squad which IS unlikely
GeordieToon89
Dec 2, 2011 at 6:50 PM
Comment #4Ed thats my team mate exactly the same..
Was just thinking anyone not think Pardew might look at adding Gosling to the mix tomorrow?
————-Krul
Simo-Taylor-Colo-Taylor
——Guthrie-Cabaye
Gosling–Benny–Obertan
————-Ba
a think it would work well as Gos will be getting back helping Simo and Obertan also gets back alot and will help Taylor.. plus Obertan bombing forward cutting in onto his right foot smashing some pile drivers in a think could work very well
GeordieToon89
Dec 2, 2011 at 6:52 PM
Comment #5Must say i’ll be getting pretty nervous about Ben Arfa torturing Terry as av seen some of the tackles from Terry when he gets frustrated and they very very strong and late but never gets punished
angelswithdirtyfaces
Dec 2, 2011 at 6:59 PM
Comment #6GT89
If Terry hacks Benny then Ba will just score another penalty.
Agree Gosling could be a good addition and Obertan is good at tracking back. Think Sammi more likely on the left though
davybtoon
Dec 2, 2011 at 7:11 PM
Comment #7ive been thinkin about gosling starting tomorrow, 3-1 its fate that gary speed scored his first toon goal in 3-1 win over chelsea at home its gonna happen again, agree if we defend well i can see ba n benny really giving there 2 cb a tough time
Willo
Dec 2, 2011 at 7:20 PM
Comment #8If Pardew puts Sammy out wide left he need to know that it is ESSENTIAL that he drop back to help Raylor. On the Gosling thought, I agree and it should be considered. Gosling has looked good whenever he’s come in and he is a quality piece of our squad. That being said Sammy is the future so we’ll have to see what he does with another start. This is why I leave the big decisions to Alan. Howay the lads!
davybtoon
Dec 2, 2011 at 7:24 PM
Comment #9could always bring best back n hav benny out wide, but also i would fancy sammi tearing ivanivic or boswinga a new one
mattyNUFC
Dec 2, 2011 at 7:34 PM
Comment #10am i the only one still not convinced by sameobi? I honestly believe he’s got talent and skill but to place him ahead of anyone else really boggles my mind at this stage. going forward he is DECENT (bearing in mind he’s 19). i saw him in both u21 matches and thought both times “ok, he’s good” but nothing else. he’s got tricks but it’s just not there for me….not even close. even though i know this won’t be the line-up, i’d like to see, for the inclusion of best
simpson….stayls….colo….santon/raylor (we all know it’ll be raylor but its time for santoon)
oberton….cabaye….guthrie….ben arfa
………..ba………………………………………….
………………..best………………………………
obviously i know ben arfa will never play on the wing, supposidly, so, more realistically, why can’t we line up like this:
simpson/santon…..sayls….colo…..rayls/santon
oberton……cabaye…….guthrie………ferguson…..
……………………..HBA…………………………………………
………………………….Ba/Best………………………………..
Ferguson is an amazing talent and I’ve no idea why he’s being put behind sameobi.
Beattie25
Dec 2, 2011 at 7:50 PM
Comment #11I can’t beleive it is that time of year again already! It doesn’t seem like 2 minutes since the last time I was counting down the days to one of the biggest events of the year. I have checked my calender I there are only 30 days until the transfer window opens.
I don’t make a Christmas list anymore, I send a list of players I want to Santa in the hope he will deliver them to all of us. My question is therefore who is on your wish list? If you are going to answer this let’s keep it based in reality. No Messi’s, Ronaldo’s or Heskey’s. Also let’s talk about people coming in not people leaving. What do we need and who is a viable option?
For me I would love to see at least 3-4 players coming in. Now I know a lot of you will say ‘there is no chance of that as MA won’t spend a penny’ which is true. However with Euro 2012 fast approaching many players will want to go out on loan to try and get in the national side.
I would like Newcastle to move for:
Eric Pieters- On a permanent basis. Dutch LB, Krul’s mate and able to play CB in case of an emergency.
Olivier Giroud- Permenant signing from Montepellier. If you haven’t seen him yet chck him out on Youtube. Imagine Andy Carroll x Andy Cole + Alan Shearer – Stephane Guivarc’h = Olivier Giroud.
So far that is around 12-15 million spent (which I beleive is plausible) so no more to be spent.
Ibrahim Afellay- I will get laughed out of town for this, but why not? Not featuring for Barca, will want to play to get in the Dutch team and with Marveaux out till end of season probably a great short term option on loan.
Obviously I dreaming, and it’s far too soon to talk of such things, but I am too excited to contain myself.
GeordieGerman
Dec 2, 2011 at 7:50 PM
Comment #12This brought a bit of a chuckle from my lips:
http://www.skysports.com/sportzine/latestissue
Pages 5, 6 and 7.
GeordieToon89
Dec 2, 2011 at 7:51 PM
Comment #13people need to forget about putting Ben Arfa on the wing it wont happen Pardew has said he will not play on the wing
soundoid
Dec 2, 2011 at 7:54 PM
Comment #14mattyNUFC
That’s the line up I’d like to see too. Benny played thier in his first game, more experience than Sammy.
mattyNUFC
Dec 2, 2011 at 7:54 PM
Comment #15GT89- i’ll bet a hundo on it that HBA plays the wing sometime this season. What else has pardew said will never happen? not bashing pards, but, need i go on?
GeordieToon89
Dec 2, 2011 at 7:54 PM
Comment #16Beattie – Affelay is a realistic target if you ask me, apparently he wants to leave Barca for that exact reason aswell bud.. a think Giroud is too similar to the styles we already have we need a pacey goal maker yet goal getter aswell someone like Defoe would be immense and hes desperate for games we could get him on loan and he will defo get us goals
davybtoon
Dec 2, 2011 at 7:57 PM
Comment #17am buzzing for tomorrow
think our team will be
krul
simpson staylor colo rtaylor
obertan guthrie cabaye sammi
benny ba
n chelsea will be
cech
ivanivic luiz terry cole
rameries romalu meireles
sturridge drogba mata
GeordieToon89
Dec 2, 2011 at 7:57 PM
Comment #18A dont think he will as weve got quite a few other who could play ther instead and keep him to his position
mattyNUFC
Dec 2, 2011 at 7:58 PM
Comment #19okokokok, GT89, disregard my last post as it’s clear you’ve nothing intelligible to say. think about it, mate. Defoe, or Giroud. Seriously? Seriously??? Have you seen Giroud play? My ex was from Montpelier so i’ve seen plenty. the kid is immense. Defoe is good, but Giroud is great
GeordieToon89
Dec 2, 2011 at 7:58 PM
Comment #20davybtoon – a think Mikel will play instead of Romelu
mattyNUFC
Dec 2, 2011 at 7:59 PM
Comment #21davyb, without a doubt we’ll line up like that tomorrow. don’t know about chelski and don’t really care.
davybtoon
Dec 2, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Comment #22matty nufc why hav a dig at pardew over carroll yes he said he wouldnt b sold but they never thought they wud get 35mill let it go ppl for god sake
mattyNUFC
Dec 2, 2011 at 8:01 PM
Comment #23oh there’s the davyb i know and unfortunately have to sift through all his high and mighty posts all day! you’re right, please set aside just this one grievance. did i even mention carroll you pompous tw*t?
davybtoon
Dec 2, 2011 at 8:02 PM
Comment #24gt89 hes dropped mikel for that romelu last couple of games think he stick with, think one of there cb will get sent off tomorro
mattyNUFC
Dec 2, 2011 at 8:02 PM
Comment #25i even said “not bashing pards”. jesus, kid, get a life. i’m out to enjoy mine while you quickly try to fire off another holier-than-though retort.
WWJBD
Dec 2, 2011 at 8:03 PM
Comment #26Ding ding
Round 1
FIGHT
GeordieToon89
Dec 2, 2011 at 8:04 PM
Comment #27If you would read my comment instead of jumping and insulting me which they is no need what so ever for..
Giroud is not the type of player we need.. hes not fast hes a finisher and not a ball player weve got them already we need a quick pacey striker who will latch onto flick ons and through balls.. to say he’s great is abit much Chamakh was unreal in france and hes crap in England and a think Giroud could turn out to be the same
GeordieToon89
Dec 2, 2011 at 8:06 PM
Comment #28mattyNUFC – dont really know what your problem is but ther is no need to come on and insult people its a blog ffs its about people opinions not just yours, you really need to get that in your head
GeordieToon89
Dec 2, 2011 at 8:08 PM
Comment #29How’d you do WWJBD – you in attendance tomorrow?
davybtoon
Dec 2, 2011 at 8:10 PM
Comment #30well if u werent on about carroll i apolgise but pardew aint really said much that he hasnt kept is word on apart ac which werent his fault
GeordieToon89
Dec 2, 2011 at 8:11 PM
Comment #31suppose so davybtoon he was meant to have looked decent against Liverpool aswel
WWJBD
Dec 2, 2011 at 8:13 PM
Comment #32Evening lad alas I am not sold out before I got tickets bit gutted but means I wont be tearful in from of 52,000 daft geordies…well until the Swans match
U going to be enjoying St James tomorrow?
davybtoon
Dec 2, 2011 at 8:14 PM
Comment #33we will hav to defend well but chelsea are the weakest ive ever seen at the back n they can b got at, n full house tomorro it will b putting pressure on them
davybtoon
Dec 2, 2011 at 8:17 PM
Comment #34am glad the tributes been postponed as am gonna b cutting fine getting there for kick off tomorro n didnt wanna miss them
GeordieToon89
Dec 2, 2011 at 8:26 PM
Comment #35WWJBD – yeah mate al be going tomorrow ive managed to get a day off work so al be eventually able to use me season ticket for only the 2nd time this season
WWJBD
Dec 2, 2011 at 8:36 PM
Comment #36Haha works a killer bud. Got it off for a good one though I will be following it on me phone all afternoon so ur saturday will beat the hell out of mine 😉
Whats ur prediction then?
Tonytoon73
Dec 2, 2011 at 8:47 PM
Comment #37WWJBD you negative little person. The score tomorrow will be 2-1 toon.
soundoid
Dec 2, 2011 at 8:48 PM
Comment #38Nice see the Olympics web site still calls our ground SJP.
Tickets on sale now for all the games.
soundoid
Dec 2, 2011 at 8:49 PM
Comment #39http://www.tickets.london2012.com/browse?form=search&tab=oly&sport=8213&event=&venue=26&fromDate=&toDate=&morning=1&afternoon=1&evening=1&show_available_events=1
Tonytoon73
Dec 2, 2011 at 8:49 PM
Comment #40davybtoon still see you are playing on football manager. Lol