Once Papiss Cisse settles down at Newcastle he will be up front with his Senegal team mate Demba Ba in the starting line-up.
Cisse leads training yesterday – Ba looks knackered at the back
But that may not happen in tomorrow’s game against Aston Villa, at least not at the start of the game.
Alan Pardew has said he has a lot of tired strikers in the squad with Cisse and Ba just returning from a disappointing African Cup of Nations for Senegal.
Senegal failed to qualify from their group A, and in fact lost all three group games by a score of 2-1.
But it will surely be a help that the game is on Sunday, which gives the team an extra day to prepare for what is another vital game for the Newcastle side.
We had thought Newcastle had a better chance of beating Aston Villa at home than Blackburn away last Wednesday night, but the game tomorrow will not be an easy one, after the great win at Ewood Park.
As usual, Alan Pardew is not giving much away about what his starting eleven will be tomorrow afternoon, and he talked about the two Senegal strikers and that all his strikers are tired:
“With Demba also being from Senegal it ticked a lot of boxes. Demba is a character who is difficult to fall out with, he has a good personality. They will strike up a good relationship.”
“There are certain shirts – No. 7 at Liverpool, No. 10 at Manchester United, No. 10 at Arsenal, No. 9 here.” “It is very important every player knows clubs have different legends and traditions running through them.”
“Cissee is going to have to wear it and I am sure he will do it justice. Now I will just let him relax and take it in. He has a lot to take in on Sunday.”
“I would be surprised if Cissé and Ba do not get at least part of the game.” “We had a tough game at Blackburn. Strikers have to be fresh.”
“They have both had a long journey and are not at the top of their tree either. So all of my strikers are a bit jaded. I will have a look in training to see who is the freshest.”
Newcastle have the early kick-off game at 1:30 pm, and then Chelsea play Manchester United in a 4:00 pm game at Stamford Bridge.
If Newcastle beat Aston Villa we can all watch that next game very relaxed, knowing that if Manchester United win, we will be level on points with Chelsea on 42 points and joint 4th in the Premier League.
That would be huge for Newcastle at this stage of the season, and it will give the lads confidence for the next game, which is at White Hart Lane next Saturday afternoon – another rather tough game.
But we’ll have Cisse and ba in that game and anything can happen.
Howay The Lads!!
Comments welcome.
19 comments so far
magpie6699
Feb 4, 2012 at 10:27 AM
Comment #1Villa’s away record is surprisingly good. Don’t let anyone think this will be a stroll tomorrow.
FloridaToon
Feb 4, 2012 at 10:28 AM
Comment #2Would love to this lineup whether its this week or down the road. Pure attacking lineup.
—Simmo——–Willo——–Colo——–Santon—————
———————Guthrie—————————————-
———–HBA——————Jonas—————————–
—Obertan———Cisse/Best——————-Ba—————
That would be entertaining.
Brutooon
Feb 4, 2012 at 10:47 AM
Comment #3play the best strikers and get rid of the lazy one
Mark
Feb 4, 2012 at 10:49 AM
Comment #4I thought number 7 at united was the big one? Not number 10. Haha, what do I know!
GeordieGesus
Feb 4, 2012 at 10:49 AM
Comment #5Mind games?
magpie6699
Feb 4, 2012 at 10:51 AM
Comment #6Mark – united?? There is only ONE United and it’s not in Mancgester!
alip123
Feb 4, 2012 at 10:51 AM
Comment #7Mark, number 7 at man u now just acts as Fergie’s bench warmer and cheerleader
spitfire_
Feb 4, 2012 at 10:59 AM
Comment #8Shola always is the freshest.
ToonIcon
Feb 4, 2012 at 11:02 AM
Comment #9I hope Shay Given gets thetremendous oviation he deserves for his excellent time here hefully deserves it heis and will alwaysbe a legend at our club
on the whole start Cisse debate for me he has to start he’s match fit also it’s not hard for a striker to fit in as he will be attacking space ideal for the likes of guthrie who can hitthe space with his passing so for me its a no brainer start Ba and Cisse against a slow villa defence
Benton Toon Exile
Feb 4, 2012 at 11:02 AM
Comment #10If we can stop Darren Bent from scoring we will win comfortably.
Villa are a poor side with a world class forward line.
Tommyy
Feb 4, 2012 at 11:19 AM
Comment #11Benton – No, no they aren’t. Went to watch them on Wednesday evening to do a bit of recon. Had a slow start but in the second half were very very impressive, midfield and strikers linked up very nicely and they should have won that game by at least 2 goals.
I’m expecting a tough game with two evenly matched sides, I think it will come down to who wants it more to be honest.
This will be anything but easy.
JP...from The Rock
Feb 4, 2012 at 11:30 AM
Comment #12“Villa are a poor side with a world class forward line” – you summed it up perfectly. If we can keep Bent, Agbonlahor and Zoggy at bay we should win.
I would love to see both Demba’s start but would settle for 30min.
HWTL
JP...from The Rock
Feb 4, 2012 at 11:37 AM
Comment #13Referring to Pardew’s quote, He’ll probably pick Strolla Ameobi as he’s always fresh cuz he NEVER runs in a football match! That’s why he’s so impressive in training FFS!!
Relegate that statue to the bench if he’s lucky and start the Demba’s damn it!
UpTheRoad
Feb 4, 2012 at 11:41 AM
Comment #14“Signed for 10 mil from Germany; Cisse! Cisse! Signed for 10 mil from Germany; Cisse! Cisse! Scum paid for his flight he turned down the sh***, playing now in the black n white, Papiss Cisse, Newcastle’s number 9!”
JP...from The Rock
Feb 4, 2012 at 11:54 AM
Comment #15UPTHEROAD – 🙂 I like that it would be amazing to have a full packed St James’ sing it together! Spread it round, I hope it catches on.
Premiership Manager
Feb 4, 2012 at 1:51 PM
Comment #16The last time Ba and Cisse played was last week. Yes they’ve flown back from Africa but like all footballers they will have been in first class. This weeks training should have taken the flights and time difference into consideration so there should be no excuses!
Strolla and Best played on Wednesday but didn’t play for 90 minutes unlike the majority of other strikers in the PL.
We should start with the strongest team with a solid midfield using Guthrie partnered by either Gosling, Perch or Abeid. Jonas on the left and either Obertan or RTaylor on the right.
I know some will shout HBA should start however until he learns not to give the ball away and that there is no I in team, I’d be quite happy to see him sat on the bench.
Ba and Cisse have to start as this will make Villa very reluctant to commit to an attacking style of football especially with Cisses pace on the break.
With a solid midfield and Ba and Cisse upfront I’d be confident of getting a win, however if we start with Strolla, Ba and HBA there is a very strong possibility we will not have sufficient strength in midfield due to accomodating both HBA and Strolla who don’t work hard enough for the team.
mra
Feb 4, 2012 at 6:07 PM
Comment #17Please God no. Ba has to start, its not like they were on vacation. they were training and playing, and took a first class flight days ago.
MILBURN1977
Feb 4, 2012 at 11:24 PM
Comment #18Whoever he plays it has to be 4 4 2. Playing Best on the left wing has backfired twice now!
theleckworthbird
Feb 5, 2012 at 9:43 AM
Comment #19Funny thing is, when I get back in from flying away on holiday, I am usually at work the next day bright and refreshed. And I am seventy