We have to be honest and say that once it was announced on Saturday afternoon that Coloccini would not be fit to play against Norwich, it was always going to be hard to get anything out of the game at Carrow Road.
Davide Santon – should keep his place next Saturday at left back
Newcastle have been unlucky in their last four games, but all that’s happening is that the luck is evening itself out, as we had Lady Luck on our side in those first eleven games of the season.
And there is some cause to be upbeat about the display by Newcastle yesterday, even if every single Norwich goal was created or scored with a header inside the box from crosses or corners.
Surely have two relatively small center-backs in 5’8″ Simpson and 5’11” Perch just doesn’t work.
What happened in yesterday’s game seems to prove that, but let’s not hit Alan Pardew too hard, he was right after the game to say any Premier League team would have struggled with their three top center-backs out of the side.
We just don’t know what Tamas Kadar wasn’t given a chance and he cannot have much of a career left at Newcastle, when he didn’t even make the bench.
It;s just one game and we didn’t get anything out of it so the thing to do is to learn from the errors and move forward.
The good news is that we are really hoping that both Fab Coloccini and Mike Williamson will be fit enough to play against Swansea.
That’s not yet official but with Fabricio close to making yesterday’s game surely he will be fit for next Saturday and Mike Williamson is back in training again and recovered from his ankle injury – at last.
The problem with Mike is that he has not had too many games, and that could keep him out of the starting eleven next Saturday.
But we also remember when he made his debut for Newcastle while on a one game loan deal, and he hadn’t played for the Portsmouth fist team all season.
But in the game on Wednesday night, January 22nd at home to Crystal Palace Mike was the Man of the Match on his debut for Newcastle in a 2-0 win, and didn’t put a foot wrong.
And it’s interesting he had been brought in for Steven Taylor, who had been injured in a previous games against West Brom and was likely out for the season.
And history showed that Mike was so good for Newcastle for the rest of the season and formed an excellent partnership with Coloccini, that Steven wasn’t missed and Newcastle were easily promoted.
Let’s hope that same scenario works this season for Newcastle, and the lads can finish in the tops even in the league.
It’s much harder in the Premier League to come straight back of course and if Alan Pardew doesn’t want to throw him in at the deep end, we suppose James Perch could pair up with Coloccini at the back.
But one positive thing form yesterday’s game is Davide Santon looked a class player in the making and surely he is ready for an extended run in the first team at left back.
In fact the only reason we think Alan switched Ryan Taylor to right back, is that Pardew wanted Santon to play in the position he wants him in at Newcastle – left back.
David is second in our poll for Man of the Match behind only two goal Demba Ba, who was simply brilliant for Newcastle yesterday – what a player – and he’s a lot better than Andy Carroll ever was. – if the truth be told
We have to think that Davide will keep his place and certainly this back four would be a much harder proposition for Swansea next week:
Simpson Coloccini Williamson Santon
And indeed that’s probably our best back four right now, and if they can play regularly together there’s no reason those four cannot start keeping clean sheets again.
The result yesterday was not a good one for Newcastle, and the four goals were all poor ones to concede, but if you forget those goals – the lads played very well. 😀
Newcastle still have that never-say-die spirit and in those last 10 minutes or so after going 4-2 down, and with 10 men with Dan Gosling having been sent off after 65 minutes it was one Newcastle attack after another.
As we said earlier, the spirit in the side is still there, and now what we need is all 3 points against Swansea to get out season back on track next Saturday.
Hopefully that will be in front of a sell-out crowd to cheer on the lads, who continue to show great courage and spirit this season.
It’s a time of adversity for Newcastle and that’s when the team needs the support of the fans more than ever, and we’re sure that’s exactly what they will get at St. James’ Park next Saturday.
Howay The Lads!!
Comments welcome.
18 comments so far
geordiejohn42
Dec 11, 2011 at 7:09 AM
Comment #11st
geordiejohn42
Dec 11, 2011 at 7:13 AM
Comment #2It’s about time that Santon started at LB he oozes class yesterday must keep his place for keeps. Wouldn’t play Simmo at CB too small for me we need to bring in 2 CBs in January no excuses
HWTL
davis_toons
Dec 11, 2011 at 7:36 AM
Comment #33 weeks to tranfers windows..MA dont disappoint us, but we are also not going to pay ridiculous amount, we knew that. Please hold on to our best players as much as possible.
20million for Cheick is not good enough.
26 milion cash will consider that.
Frankly speaking, selling Cheick and buy utility player is also not a way to go. We will go nowhere.
Money can be earn back through the season. The book can be balance but it needed some time with proper planning.
Selling the Stadium naming rights is already an example.
With money coming in from the naming right’s next season hopfully we can keep hold onto our better players.
davis_toons
Dec 11, 2011 at 7:41 AM
Comment #4Btw, what more can we sell?
Billboards? Ladies undergarments? rent our pitchs to other sports/ part-timers? Use some part of it as a trainning ground for other sports? what’s more?
ToonMatt
Dec 11, 2011 at 8:36 AM
Comment #5Why on earth would you consider £26m for Tiote? The club would not see a penny of it like we didn’t see a penny of the £35m we got for Carroll?
davis_toons
Dec 11, 2011 at 9:21 AM
Comment #6Chelsea striker nets £175,000 a week with Shanghai Shenhua
davis_toons
Dec 11, 2011 at 9:30 AM
Comment #7Thats what i i hope so as well. But you should have guess that our club is always “Never say Never” thingy hanging around.
Tiote is bought in at a cheap price and to sell him. the club is making 10x profits. Which he might suggest further investment in any areas.
Tiote is a jewel that is not easy to come by. He might not be the best player but he is our 1st 11 for sure.
Jan will be a good time to prove us wrong again.
gorgonzola
Dec 11, 2011 at 9:36 AM
Comment #8Why according to many Brown nosed fanbois on this blog Perch was more than capable at CB…and Simpson at CB too…
After I woke up this morning had some thinking on the game…
SANTON:
Well, it shows doesnt it that Pardew made a cock up NOT PLAYING HIM AT CHEALSEA NOW didnt he…Although he made a bit of a beginner mistake when we had a great attacking position second half left flank jonas past to him perfect placement for a cross he chocked like Obertan, regardless he is calm on the ball I like that we are in dire need of a LB like that…
AMEOBI
I know the blog and the fans are polarised on this fellow, I just get frustrated at seeing this lad NOT TRY hard enough, being a bit lazy on the feet as he clearly has talent some passes across the field where stunner from him setting up Ba aswell…
I just get let down when in obvious places he makes real bad mistakes but then he can make 3 touches that lead to a goal….
MY question is is that worth it…. I dont know .
I know how some fans here lament when somebody gets overly critical of a player and feel its midnless bashing but on the other hand….I look at it this way..how many chances on the flank will a player get against a Man utd or Citey or Chealsea, to score a superb goal or setup a chance and 98% of the time it leads to nothing…. over and over…. Now in my life as a supporter it becomes really really frustrating to see that especially when I know that individual is no Sturridge, or Giggs or whatever so the next GREAT chance will take a while to get there if at all…
And lastly Perch. i really though about this one over and over but every time I see this man come on the pitch we have badly screwed up, you make your mind on that one….
I will ALWAYS KEEP the faith HWTL, we need some QUALITY PLAYERS or even PLAYER come jan ….
pinkorbrown
Dec 11, 2011 at 11:10 AM
Comment #9We badly missed our 2 centre backs at Norwich. Every goal they scored came off crosses into the box and winnin the first and second balls. Would not have happened with Staylor and Colo.
Sav
Dec 11, 2011 at 12:05 PM
Comment #10I’d rather Simpson and Colo than Perch and Colo if Williamson doesn’t make it.
BeeGuy
Dec 11, 2011 at 1:28 PM
Comment #11At the start of the season Oberton looked a good winger. He would take the ball to the corner at least. Now, he has really slumped, not even trying to challenge the defense for the corner of the pitch. While there has been talk of the need for a striker, and central defense, NUFC really needs a right winger determined to claim the attacking corner of the pitch. Someone who knows and will persist in getting there and being able to amke across or pass back to keep possession.
Dearka
Dec 11, 2011 at 2:17 PM
Comment #1230million + Sturridge for Cheick i would consider that from AVB
and team for the next match
_____________Kurl________________
R.Taylor__Simpson/William__Colo__Santon
Obertan__Cabaye__Tiote/Abeid__Gutierrez
___________Ben Arfa__Ba____________
Sub Best,Smith, Elliot,Perch, Sammy Ameobi
DG MAGPIE
Dec 11, 2011 at 2:22 PM
Comment #13Just watching the Mackems get beat by Blackburn 😀
Samba is absolutely bossing everything that comes anywhere near the Blackburn goal… would nobody agree considering his bags of premiership experience and physical presence he would be a perfect season replacement for Taylor?
Also he’s a class above Mike Williamson.
davis_toons
Dec 11, 2011 at 2:31 PM
Comment #14Samba is Rock! 8/10 header.
It should be 2-0
GK run into the back of Samba and he counld jump and head the ball.
But the ref gave the other way. It should be a goal counted. NO FOul ! Take a look again for those who missed it.
What did Samba do? Samba back was on the GK and the Gk fly onto him. Because he is too Big and the GK rebounded on him causing a foul?
DG MAGPIE
Dec 11, 2011 at 2:50 PM
Comment #15davis… I don’t think its going to matter, i reckon its guna be 1-0 Blackburn 😉
cornishman
Dec 11, 2011 at 7:53 PM
Comment #16Was,nt Samba on the radar for Arsenal or someone in the summer? If we could pinch him in January we would have an excellent replacement for S. Taylor…although i,m not so sure it will happen. Watched him today, had a hell of a game.
What about Demba, he was superb….looking around there ai,nt many better at present in the Premier league.
Lets hope the back 4 can be improved before the next game.
BoomBoom
Dec 11, 2011 at 8:28 PM
Comment #17Don’t see what all the fuss is about. it’s pretty obvious that perch is no where near good enough to play for us. He should never be brought on in such a key position again…. If at all.
Santon was pretty damn impressive yesterday. He’s tall, and by the looks a good all round player. Stick him in the middle next to colo (if fit) and leave the rest as is!! Especially if tiote’s back!!
And please get giroud in jan. He’s class!!!!!
Jinky Jim
Dec 11, 2011 at 9:40 PM
Comment #18Looks like the potters had a pork bbq and cooked noddys spuds