It was obvious from the kick-off last Saturday that Chelsea were attacking down their right wing, as they had picked out Ryan Taylor as the weak link in Newcastle’s defense.
Jonas Gutierrez – a big miss last Saturday
And Daniel Sturridge gave Taylor a terrible time of it in that first half, and it’s lucky that the 21 year-old England International missed a lot of the chances he carved out for himself.
And then of course there was always a certain Tim Krul, who has simply been magnificent in the Newcastle goal all season.
Usually Jonas Gutierrez helps out big time when Ryan is under pressure, but of course he was serving a one match ban for being sent off at Old Trafford the previous Saturday, and Peter Lovenkrands could not help out Ryan as much.
But some good news, among all the injury concerns this week, Jonas will be back out on the left wing tomorrow, and he’s been a big player for Newcastle this season.
In fact the 22 times capped Argentine International is playing the best football of his career on Tyneside, after signing a new deal that keeps him at Newcastle until the summer of 2015.
Pardew has no doubt that Gutierrez missing from the starting line-up last week, was a big problem for Newcastle:
“That was a big blow to us last week.” “He’s a big part of looking after that left side.”
“I think we got exposed a little bit against Chelsea, and he would have shored it up on that side.”
“There’s also what he offers us going forward. So I’m very pleased to have him back.”
The fact that Ryan Taylor has a tough job against fast and skillful wingers, tells us he is not the long term solution to the left-back position vacated by Jose Enrique, when he left for Liverpool in August.
But Ryan is a top professional and we expect him to have a solid game tomorrow at Carrow Road, especially since Jonas will be helping out as usual.
It’s anybody’s guess what the starting line-up will be tomorrow, but assuming that Coloccini is fit (we’ll keep our fingers crossed), here’s a possible starting eleven:
Krul
Simpson Coloccini (c) Perch Taylor (R)
Obertan Gosling Cabaye Gutierrez
Ameobi (Sh) Ba
That’s not a bad side at all, and we have a feeling that Alan Pardew may bring Shola Ameobi into the starting line-up in place of Ben Arfa, to give Newcastle more power up front, especially since Shola looked so good in the second half last Saturday.
What is your starting eleven for tomorrow?
Comments welcome.
158 comments so far
foxyflint
Dec 9, 2011 at 1:30 PM
Comment #1Krul
Simpson Coloccini (c) Perch Taylor (R)
Obertan SMITH Cabaye Gutierrez
Ameobi Ba
i would bring smith in to protect the back four to allow cabaye to venture forward.
Smithy has played in this role a few times for us and did very well – he will always give 100 % and look to protect the players behind him
TS -77
Dec 9, 2011 at 1:38 PM
Comment #2As much as I admire the job Pardew has done so far at Newcastle I will get really angy on him if Ben Arfa´s left out! 🙂
Jesus1983
Dec 9, 2011 at 1:39 PM
Comment #3Ben Arfa surely has to play? He was our main threat in our last 2 away games. He hit the post against City and played Ba in superbly – he then won the penalty at Utd!
Shola Ameobi seems to be alot more impressive when he comes off the bench – hopefully the same happens tomorrow.
rodgeytoon
Dec 9, 2011 at 1:40 PM
Comment #4Smith can do the job alright, but he might be a but rusty, how about this
Krul
Simpson Coloccini (c) Perch Taylor (R)
Obertan Cabaye Guitterez
Ben Arfa
Ameobi Best
Maybe play Simpson beside Collo and Ryan right back and bring in Santon?
kpryddie
Dec 9, 2011 at 1:42 PM
Comment #5Krul
Simmo Santon Collo Raylor
Sammy Cabaye Abeid Jonas
HBA
Ba
JackButler
Dec 9, 2011 at 1:43 PM
Comment #6Having Jonas back is massive, his work ethic is unbelievable and if Colo does make it then happy days, but would like to see Sammy play on the left with Jonas replacing Obertan on the right with Gosling and Cabaye in the middle
TS -77
Dec 9, 2011 at 1:44 PM
Comment #7Here you go!
Krul
Taylor – Simpson – Colo – Santon
Obertan – Ben Arfa – Cabaye – Gutierrez
Ba – Best
Usually Ill put Ben Arfa on the wing instead of Obertan but thats not Pards cup of tea..
Willo
Dec 9, 2011 at 1:48 PM
Comment #8I agree with Ed. If Colo get back the lineup looks much better but if Kadar is his replacement I’m fine with that as we don’t want to rush him over the busy Holiday season. Smith has been a professional and a captain for the club but he is way past his prime and with the back four already makeshift I wouldn’t put him on the field in a position make make a poor decision and jeopardize our chances at full points.
ganiyu
Dec 9, 2011 at 1:52 PM
Comment #9we score more goals with best and ba.
Ben arfa isnt a 90mins player from what i have seen so far.
JackButler
Dec 9, 2011 at 1:53 PM
Comment #10Krul
Simpson – Perch – Colo – Santon
Jonas – Gosling – Cabaye – Sammy
HBA
Ba
AP's Black & White Army
Dec 9, 2011 at 1:55 PM
Comment #11As long as Raylor isn’t at LB, I’m happy.
Benton Toon Exile
Dec 9, 2011 at 1:57 PM
Comment #12Norwich will let us have posession and play on the Break as Chelsea did last week, so will be interesting to see how we break them down.
2-1 tight win I think. Ba with a brace.
jimmyxavi
Dec 9, 2011 at 2:00 PM
Comment #13@ts77……. and any others who are speculating about the starting line up..
Pardew has said that perch will start, also if colocini is unfit then kadar will be put in aswell!
acuna
Dec 9, 2011 at 2:00 PM
Comment #14So my opinion on tomorrow. Midfield we are in good shape, in fact my direct replacement for Tiote would have been Gosling not Guthrie with Guthrie offering cover for Cabaye if he gets crocked (god forbid).
The defense is the massive talking point of course. Taylor at left back purely because of this injury debacle and no other reason.His defensive flaws have been exposed in a big manner recently. Logically Danny Simpson would be at right back and we all know Perch is going to be a center half which leaves that other position. I admittedly know little of Santon apart from him being an attacking full back and to put him at center half, despite his height could be a mistake. I was at the cup game at Blackburn and his defending leaves a lot to be desired.So you would then assume it be Danny Simpson and Perch in the middle with Santon at right full…Disaster!cue aerial bombardment Stoke style and we will suffer with Simpson and Perch in there (i expect grant holt to start).I also expect us to play a deep line due to the unfamiliariaty these back 4 will have with each other and thus unable to play the offside effectively. We will therefore be under pressure so even though I’m all about the Best and Ba partnership we will need Ben Arfa for the counter and Ba up to. Ultimately a 1-1 draw and thats hoping…
Team – Krul, Santon, Simpson, Perch, Taylor, Obertan, Gosling, Cabaye, Jonas, Ben Arfa, Ba
ToonMauritius
Dec 9, 2011 at 2:01 PM
Comment #15@ 9 , best squad possible
JackButler
Dec 9, 2011 at 2:05 PM
Comment #16Lets just prey we don’t pick up any more injuries, with the run of games we got coming up we can get by I think, but any more players lost would really hurt us, obvious statement i know but it had to be said
angelswithdirtyfaces
Dec 9, 2011 at 2:10 PM
Comment #17We didn’t sign Santon to bench warm and I can’t wait to see what he can do for us. He is supposed to be a versatile CB/FB and if instructed to stay back except for set pieces don’t see why he couldn’t do a job for us at CB – or in his more natural FB position where he could liberate Guti to a more attacking role
TS -77
Dec 9, 2011 at 2:10 PM
Comment #18jimmyxavi, its not speculation, its what I would like to see..
ToonMauritius
Dec 9, 2011 at 2:12 PM
Comment #19Let’s hope for a win tomorrow and we all be in festive mood.
Jail for Ashley
Dec 9, 2011 at 2:18 PM
Comment #20Pards has come out and said it himself that we were exposed down the left last saturday and that Jonas helps big time,Raylors been sussed big time now,whats the matter with letting a five million pound full back looking after the left and letting Jonas getting on with his real job.
estechco
Dec 9, 2011 at 2:29 PM
Comment #21TS-77: I was thinking something similar, but probably wouldn’t have had the back line in the positions you had them.
Assuming Jimmyxavi is correct then it may well be
Krul
Simpson – Perch – Colo(/Santon) –Raylor
Obertan – Ben Arfa – Cabaye – Gutierrez
Ba – Best(/Shola)
Dearka
Dec 9, 2011 at 2:34 PM
Comment #22Krul
Simpson – Perch – Kadar –Raylor
Obertan – Gosling – Cabaye – Gutierrez
Ba – Ben Arfa
planb
Dec 9, 2011 at 2:42 PM
Comment #23Have the club done an Andy carroll with Tiote?
GeordieGerman
Dec 9, 2011 at 2:53 PM
Comment #24planb, you mean sold him for 35 million when he’s injured and can’t play for the buyers for 8 weeks? Not yet.
niafron
Dec 9, 2011 at 2:55 PM
Comment #25Bonjour messieurs.
Estechco, i love your team. DOn’t seem realistic, but i would pay to see something like that.
GeordieGerman
Dec 9, 2011 at 2:59 PM
Comment #26Bonjour niafron, You’ll be watching in an internet cafe, so you will be paying. And don’t take it out on us about Cameron.
martoon
Dec 9, 2011 at 2:59 PM
Comment #27You lot can speculate on a team as much as you like but knowing the way Pardew likes to keep consistency and rewards a good performance I think the team in the article is spot on. The only question if Colo does not play – who replaces him Santon or Kadar?
GeordieGerman
Dec 9, 2011 at 3:01 PM
Comment #28Oh and while on that subject. Angela Merkel could of shown Hitler a thing or two on world dominance.
niafron
Dec 9, 2011 at 3:04 PM
Comment #29I go two vids for those of you who want to see Beny on the wings.
First, one of his best game in Ligue 1 his last season with Marseille (left winger). The vid is of very poor quality, but it deserve to be viewed (especially at 0:50 and at 1:44. Two of the greatest pass i witnessed in my life. The second also ended with a goal altough you don’t see it in the vid).
Marseille won this game 5-1.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIrOEA1AtEM&feature=related
The second vid is the 2010 final of french league cup and show what Beny can do as a right winger this time.
Marseille also won this game (3-1).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQF1q1na_-s
I still prefer him center pitch however.
American Toon 13
Dec 9, 2011 at 3:06 PM
Comment #30I don’t believe Tiote will leave. First off, Andy Carroll actually was injured when we sold him. So even if MA was trying to keep him “sellable”, Liverpool paid stupid money for an injured player. Second, I would think that most clubs in January are looking for reinforcements to help the club immediately. Tiote will be at the ACN for what, 4-6 weeks? So a “big club” like ManU will buy a player that they won’t see for at least a month, probably be knackered when he gets back and still has to get up to full speed with the rest of his teammates? If Tiote is sold its much more likely to be over the summer when a buyer would get more out of him immediately. Thirdly, Tiote was sold last Jan to Chelsea by MA, but Tiote said, “no thanks.” What’s to say he won’t turn down another offer? By all accounts he enjoys living in Newcastle. If we’re heading in the right direction for a 6th/7th place finish by then, he probably wouldn’t want to leave. I’ll still have my fingers crossed in Jan, but I just don’t see it happening.
niafron
Dec 9, 2011 at 3:09 PM
Comment #31@GG
Ahah!
Well, i will NEVER speak of Europe on an english blog! Not fool enough for that!
Furthermore, with the incoming european championship, we will have all we need concerning France and England rivalry!
niafron
Dec 9, 2011 at 3:13 PM
Comment #32Anyway, French people are not exactly happy to see our president explain us we got to do all of what the german say.
It’s less a prolem for you, but if the germans do not allow the european central bank to inject money in the system, French, spanish and italian economy will sink soon.
Well, do you think i can find a job in Newcastle?
GeordieGerman
Dec 9, 2011 at 3:21 PM
Comment #33niafron, you could always become Ben Arfa’s adviser.
mickybraham
Dec 9, 2011 at 3:22 PM
Comment #34Raylor will be in the side until he misses through suspension or injury mainly because he does a satisfactory job at the back and for his set pieces. I wish people would stop axing him from their teams. Fair enough he got tortured by sturidge but strridge could torture most premier league LB’s in the form hes in ATM and his scoring record backs me up. Raylor has won us at least 6 points. if santon was in the team against SMB we wouldn’t have won, same with everton. Think everyone should give him a break.
my team for tmorrow
Krul
simpson Colo(C)/kadar perch raylor
obertan gosling cabaye guti
(sh) ameobi ba
Subs Harps santon Tav?? vuckic/abeid ameobi (sa) ben arfa lovenkrands
If colo doesn’t play shola as captain
I always want to see ben arfa in the team but im not sure if he will be which is why i didn’t include him 🙂
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Dec 9, 2011 at 3:26 PM
Comment #35Loving the european flavour of the blog today, a sign of things to come perhaps when we are plying our trade in Europe next season and seeing more and more European fans on the blog?? 😛
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Dec 9, 2011 at 3:27 PM
Comment #36Micky Braham we can’t recall Tavs until he has been at Wednesday for 28 days apparently, he would have really helped in this defensive “crisis” we got going on.
mickybraham
Dec 9, 2011 at 3:30 PM
Comment #37ah really, didn’t realise! I know would have helped a great deal! fingers crossed for Colo hopefully pards is playing games however im fairly skeptical on that
Toon_Jock
Dec 9, 2011 at 3:32 PM
Comment #38Ryan Taylor has done us proud so far this season – anyone saying he should be dropped… Refresh time!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rpr-urAlE78
mickybraham
Dec 9, 2011 at 3:34 PM
Comment #39great video!
niafron
Dec 9, 2011 at 3:35 PM
Comment #40I wonder what kind of advise i could give him… He’s main adivsor his a former journalist specialised in Football and the second one is a philosopher!
And i don’t think he need advice for ladies!
Well concerning football, the only advice i can give him is :
“it would be very human to give me your left foot for a while! I will give it back to you in perfect condition.”