A win against Sunderland tomorrow at St. James Park can see Newcastle up to 46 points from 27 games, and level with Chelsea in joint 5th place in the league, and 7 points ahead of Liverpool in 7th place.
Oh, and 13 points ahead of Sunderland.
Both Chelsea and Liverpool were beaten today by West Brom and Arsenal respectively, and those were two good results for Newcastle before their derby with Sunderland at high noon tomorrow.
A win tomorrow will give Newcastle their first double over Sunderland since back in the 2005-2006 season, and if Newcastle can play anywhere near their top form, the lads should be able to do it.
Newcastle have all their players available for the game, although Tiote had a tough return trip to the Ivory Coast during the week, but Senegal striker Papiss Cisse seems to have recovered from the groin strain he picked up against Wolves last Saturday.
And we think that Alan Pardew will start the same side he started against Wolves, which is probably our strongest side available at the moment:
Krul
Simpson Coloccini (c) Williamson Santon
Taylor (R) Tiote Cabaye Gutierrez
Ba Cisse
Subs: Elliot Ferguson Perch Guthrie Ben Arfa Lovenkrands Ameobi (Sh)
There are a number of factors that will be important if Newcastle are going to win tomorrow:
- The Newcastle defense will need to be a lot more solid than we’ve been int the last two games, when we have leaked 7 poor goals, so somehow the lads have got to keep the back door closed
- The Newcastle midfield pair of Cabaye and Tiote have to take control of central midfield, and they will be up against a five man Sunderland midfield spread across the park, but it’s vital that Cabaye and Tiote boss the midfield tomorrow, which we didn’t do last week against Wolves
- The Senegal twins Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse are in goal-scoring form and can score those goals from half chances, as they’ve proved they can do in the past
If Newcastle can achieve those things tomorrow afternoon, especially to be very tight in defense, then we can win this game.
And we may even see Shola Ameobi in the second half tomorrow, and it would be a good time for Shola to show us that he’s a much better player than he’s been for the side over the last several games.
It would also be a great time to score his second goal of the season, and we know he’s adept at scoring goals against Sunderland, from his past history.
This will be the 20th Premier League meeting between the two North East clubs, and we have won nine of them and lost only three.
And in total Newcastle have won this fixture 53 times, lost 46 and drawn the other 46 games.
Newcastle are very well positioned in the Premier League table after today’s games, and we are due a win after two rather disappointing performances at Tottenham and at home to Wolves, in which we conceded 7 poor goals.
So tomorrow is the time for the Newcastle players to stand up and be counted, and we must go all out for the win, or die in the attempt as Cheick Tiote said earlier today.
This is what Cheick said in his interview when reviewing tomorrow’s game:
“If We Have To Die On The Pitch To Win – We Have To Die On The Pitch”
Of course Cheick Tiote is only making a point with that statement – well we think he is. 😀
We want to see Newcastle give an all out 100% performance of guts and passion tomorrow, and if they can do that the Newcastle fans will be able to celebrate for 8 days, before we have to meet Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, a game we won 1-0 last year.
Alan Pardew, in his press conference announcing the signing of Fab Coloccini and Tim Krul earlier today, said he wanted Newcastle fans to make themselves heard and cheer the lads onto victory.
But we have absolutely no doubts at all that’s what the Geordie fans will be doing tomorrow afternoon.
And it was obvious that Alan was simply delighted that Newcastle had managed to sign two of our top players to long term deals at Newcastle, so Alan is certainly upbeat about the future of Newcastle, and a win would be the icing on the cake tomorrow for the faithful Newcastle fans.
Go for it Newcastle!!
Howay The Lads!!
187 comments so far
davybtoon
Mar 3, 2012 at 8:48 PM
Comment #81Sgt colo n krul signed new deals
Check I think the football will improve next year IMO it ain’t been to bad this year can’t wait till tomorrow
rich_toonfan
Mar 3, 2012 at 8:50 PM
Comment #82After reading comments tonight (although in the long run i still think fergie will develop into a left winger) I think people are right…..play santon RB and fergie LB….even if fergie cant defend as well as simpson (cant be much worse) at least they will attack which will pin back the opposition full backs and make their wingers have to track back and double up….then if we loose the ball tiote can drop back to form a back 3 almost with willo nd collo til the fullbacks get back
danishmag
Mar 3, 2012 at 8:52 PM
Comment #83danishmag // Mar 3, 2012 at 8:32 PM
hey lads..
Still 6th in the league.. How crazy i was, predicting that back in august..
We have the best and most outs to end higher, than Liverpool, Chelski and Arsenal..
Liverpool… They do suck!
Chelski.. The players and the manager do not work well together..
Arsenal.. They rely on one man.. Persie..
We have.. a TEAM, that fight like hell for one another..
We will take that 4th spot!
Win tomorrow, and a win next week against Arsenal (like last season away) And we are level with Arsenal..
Pardew.. The best manager since Sir Bobby! I said it back in august! And he will be here for a long time, as he is a manager of Mike Ashleys head.. And Ashley is not going anywhere!
The ladder going farther up, each week.. And that even without spending money.. Remember FFP!
In Pardew i trust!!
howay the lads
check the toastie
Mar 3, 2012 at 9:00 PM
Comment #84Think this is the derby game i have looked forwardmore than many a year, seems like im forgetting how poor at times we have been lately, just feel as though we surely have the players to not only beat the mackems but to play some good stuff too,
last year 5-1 was an unbelievable result, but i was never convinced with the way the club was going with some of those personnel, (disliked nolan as a player always have, unfit and lived off Big Andy, only gud playing a certain way, was pleased when he left) for me we are now heading into a solid top 8 team year on year, hopefully some of those years we may threaten top 4, let the gud times roll.
danishmag
Mar 3, 2012 at 9:02 PM
Comment #85check the toastie..
Spot on!!!
check the toastie
Mar 3, 2012 at 9:11 PM
Comment #86Well done Danishmag, i must say i am pessimistic but thought we would finish top 10 as we quite clearly bought well in the summer, it has to be said though we have been a bit lucky with injuries as no back up was bought for Ba early season and if Coolo was to get injured we would be in the sh1t.
For all i like reading about Collo and Krul signing contracts i cant fail to be slightly disappointed we didnt sign a decent CB/RB in transfer window, it could seriously undermine our progress this year, i feel sometimes everything is about balancing the books, i think people may look back at this season as an oppourtunity lost.
Imagine if we are in 4th with 2 games to go and Coolio gets injured, we will regret the non signings
gorgonzola
Mar 3, 2012 at 9:12 PM
Comment #87Have watched the highlights of the WBA game…and I know lot of you here cried for sturridge but in my mind he has so many chances but he is a terrible decision maker in all honesty, had sitters in that game was indecisive vs Napoli too, could have scored a hat-trick vs R Taylor last time out vs us at SJP, a bit overrated in my view…
gorgonzola
Mar 3, 2012 at 9:13 PM
Comment #88check
“For all i like reading about Collo and Krul signing contracts i cant fail to be slightly disappointed we didnt sign a decent CB/RB in transfer window, it could seriously undermine our progress this year, i feel sometimes everything is about balancing the books, i think people may look back at this season as an oppourtunity lost.”
100 % percent spot on we are already however paying the proce for it last 5 games….
NUFC STEVE
Mar 3, 2012 at 9:15 PM
Comment #89If Ryan Taylor start RM we may hand the win to Sunderland.
rich_toonfan
Mar 3, 2012 at 9:27 PM
Comment #90Gogonzola
totally agree about sturridge, he just focuses on shooting, never gets his head up….but that comes from him wanting to play through the middle not out wide….but if playing wide he should play for the team not himself
danishmag
Mar 3, 2012 at 9:28 PM
Comment #91check..
i agree on the part of non signing a CB in january.
however.. Remember what Pardew said back i december..
We will spend no silly money! No way!
Pardew had one CB, close coming in.. But did not want to pay more than he thought he was worth! Respect!
And remember.. The 5 year plan..
1st year.. get back into premier league. Check!
2nd year.. stay in the premier league. Check!
3rd year.. top 10 finish.. I dare to say.. Check!
4th year.. qualify for europe..
5th year.. qualify for ch league..
Top 10 this year.. Is not gonna go wrong.. And the team is very very good a is it is.. He already achieved the goal, so why risk anything by buying a CB for silly money?
Yes, we should be going for 4th spot now, and Pardew said so himself.. But top 10 was enough before the season started.. Now qualifying for europe is the goal i think.. Though.. If it does not happen, it will still be a check!!
A lot of critics thought we would end in the buttom 5.. go figure
check the toastie
Mar 3, 2012 at 9:38 PM
Comment #92danish – when you are sat 5th in january saying that if we finish 10th it will be box ticked doesnt show a lot of ambition, we have had a big chance this year to break the top 4, next year and onwards may not be so easy as all the other top 6 will spend more cash than us, in transfer fees and wages, if they want they can cherry pick our best players, its pretty much been said by the club, 5 year plan is great, but sometimes plans dont come off.
Jail for Ashley
Mar 3, 2012 at 9:38 PM
Comment #93Check,
Cant help but agree with you but while we’re still doing well I’ve found it hard to complain about much this season even after some terrible performances this year,just hope we stay injury free and the fat mans gamble pays off.
danishmag
Mar 3, 2012 at 9:44 PM
Comment #94check..
Remember the FFP!!
The big spenders will not spend so big no more!
If so, why did none of them spend it in january?
Carr is bringing in the best players for nothing to this club.. And for almost no money!
We will be in the same position as we are now, next year!
Wait and see
check the toastie
Mar 3, 2012 at 9:46 PM
Comment #95Not really complaining about much, just the potential of an opportunity missed, if Fatty’s business model was just slightly put aside in January due to slight change of plans (eg speculate to get into champions league), then we may have achieved it, hope his gamble pays off but looking at willos form lately, me thinks it wont.
rich_toonfan
Mar 3, 2012 at 9:48 PM
Comment #96@danish
i agree to an extent…I would be very happy with a Europa league place….I think we should be aiming for 6th, especially with Liverpool loosing today and having indifferent form.
But at the same time I think we have to look at premierleague history, other than when it very first started and blackburn got an early win and we cam close very few teams have competed for top spot in last ten years (man utd, arsenal and chelsea…now city too), they all spend a fortune and pay large wages…..we simply cannot afford this as we don’t have a mega rich owner or years or champs league revenue.
And as far as signing a defender in jan, most good european defenders wouldn’t leave clubs as they want to ensure football for their national side in Euro’s this summer. And if we paid say £4 mil for marriappa then when summer comes and we go for Mbiwa or Vertongen, etc, their clubs will say if marriappa was worth 4 mil to you ours surely worth double….we cannot be seen to be weak/desperate in transfer market….and also i think with Willo doing well last year pardew felt happy with him, shame his form has dipped.
danishmag
Mar 3, 2012 at 9:48 PM
Comment #97and..
our team is good enough to end 4th.
We are better than Liverfool.
Chelsea is a mess.
Arsenal only have Persie.
We have a whole TEAM.
rich_toonfan
Mar 3, 2012 at 9:50 PM
Comment #98and as far as Financial Fair play goes it is just a nothing threat…..can you really see UEFA’s sponsors allowing them to kick barcelona or madrid out the champions league? There is no way this would happen…clubs and sponsors have way too much power.
danishmag
Mar 3, 2012 at 9:50 PM
Comment #99rich..
And as far as signing a defender in jan, most good european defenders wouldn’t leave clubs as they want to ensure football for their national side in Euro’s this summer. And if we paid say £4 mil for marriappa then when summer comes and we go for Mbiwa or Vertongen, etc, their clubs will say if marriappa was worth 4 mil to you ours surely worth double….we cannot be seen to be weak/desperate in transfer market….and also i think with Willo doing well last year pardew felt happy with him, shame his form has dipped.
Spot on mate!
rich_toonfan
Mar 3, 2012 at 9:51 PM
Comment #100We might have a whole team but arsenal do have more than RVP…..they have arteta, song, walcott, sagna, vermalen, koscielny….they have some very good players who would get into our team
rich_toonfan
Mar 3, 2012 at 9:53 PM
Comment #101Thanks danish
i remember reading luuk de jong’s agent saying he had interest from us, liverpool and few others but would not consider a move as settling in a new league and team is hard and if not a automatic pic in the team they cant afford to risk it
danishmag
Mar 3, 2012 at 9:55 PM
Comment #102rich..
FFP will have an impact.. No doubt about that.
And as we saw in the january window.. No big sums were paid..
The same will happen in the summer window!
The clubs respect the FFP, in some level.
And FFP do respect the clubs as well..
The FFP is born to prevent the BIG BIG pays.. The days of 40-50 mill deals are over!
rich_toonfan
Mar 3, 2012 at 9:59 PM
Comment #103Honestly danish i cant see it…..they ran through some of the sanctions the other month on sky and the first few failures to meet targets are warnings and fines…..then possibility of UEFA competition ban.
I really think in the summer you will see some very big moves….do you really think UEFA will kick barcelona, madrid, man city, chelsea, man utd out of the champs league if they don’t hit targets?
and not only that a few lawyers we on explaining how there were so many ways around they rulings
check the toastie
Mar 3, 2012 at 10:01 PM
Comment #104Danish – right now i think we have some obvious weaknesses which makes us 7th best team in the league and i would bet thats were will end up,
If we finish above Liverscumpool i will be over the moon and it will give us an extra bargaining tool when recruiting in the summer, all i should do is enjoy the moment as we ARE doing so well, but i always want more, especially when i feel it is in your grasp.
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Mar 3, 2012 at 10:02 PM
Comment #105There seem to be too many people here who are short sighted and are too quick to lambaste the manager for his team selection or the owner for fiscal policy as a means for achieving the 4th spot this season. We have to reconcile what we are doing now with what we expected of ourselves at the start of the season. We have done exceptionally well and I for one will be pleased even if we lose form a bit and finish 7th this season. Some may say that I lack ambition but that is not the case, I am a realist and pragmatist. I expected us to hover around 8th-10th and we are currently making noises around the 4th spot, we are over achieving to a sensational degree. We are not ready for CL football, this squad is a project in motion, with every passing window we are slowly and steadily building a squad that can not only get us higher up the table but to enable us to play better football. Next season will see the emergence of HBA when we sign better players in order to play the expansive football that will see him at his best. IMHO I think we should just enjoy whatever happens between now and the rest of the season, no one expected to get 4th at the start of the season so don’t criticise the Manager, players or the owner if we don’t get it this season. I do think we will get there eventually
Brutooon
Mar 3, 2012 at 10:03 PM
Comment #106stop mentioning Shola Ameobi
He is Shit and Lazy
He WONT score again – he will NEVER score again
danishmag
Mar 3, 2012 at 10:04 PM
Comment #107rich..
there will be some moves in the summer.. But not moves of 40-50 mill! I am sure of it..
UEFA and their FFP has levels.. In a couple of years, if a club has spend far to much, more than they have earned.. They will be banned!
rich_toonfan
Mar 3, 2012 at 10:06 PM
Comment #108@ruddy
great post…..i think that is exactly what will happen……even man city played negative, dull football last season to make sure they got 4th, signed better players nd now play attractive football and are top of the league
the difference with us is money, we wont win the league anytime soon but we could become a serious champs league contended
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Mar 3, 2012 at 10:07 PM
Comment #109Brutoon, worse players than Shola Ameobi played for Newcastle, do you not remember Luque? Duff was rubbish, Marcelino etc don’t understand how you feel you have free reign to constantly slag off a player who is in our team’s colours. Proper supporters will get behind their players regardless of whether they like them or not
rich_toonfan
Mar 3, 2012 at 10:07 PM
Comment #110@danish
only time will tell but i disagree….UEFA make too much money from TV and sponsorship…..if barca/real aren’t in it that money will fall dramatically and UEFA wont let that happen
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Mar 3, 2012 at 10:11 PM
Comment #111As the balance of our squad stands we cannot let HBA play a free role in an attacking sense, defensively we need the cover provided by backtracking wingers/midfielders and because HBA doesn’t track back as much as the others then Pards sees it as too much of a risk to play him, even though he knows he is the most technically gifted player at the club. Next season I do believe we will bolster the full back positions and at CB so we will be much more solid there, then we can unleash the beast that is Hatem Ben Arfa.
Spuggy
Mar 3, 2012 at 10:14 PM
Comment #112Erik Pieters ? @_Erik_Pieters_ Close
Congratulations to my friend #TimKrul with his new deal – You deserve it – All the best this weekend #beat.those.people
Retweeted by Tim Krul
Come to the toon Erik, and we’ll play Santon @ RB.
danishmag
Mar 3, 2012 at 10:14 PM
Comment #113Rich..
FFP has been born to prevent the clubs to overspend..
That is all!
If it just decreases the overspending.. Good enough!
rich_toonfan
Mar 3, 2012 at 10:15 PM
Comment #114@spuggy…love that tweet
but pitiers looked very poor for holland midweek….not seen much else so cant judge, but must be better out there
rich_toonfan
Mar 3, 2012 at 10:16 PM
Comment #115Danish
I know why it was invented but many ways around it…and as I say, UEFA will not ban top european clubs from the champions league…..they cant afford to, simple as that
Matty@NUFC
Mar 3, 2012 at 10:18 PM
Comment #116Hoping for a great derby game tomorrow, just hope Pardew changes it if it isn’t going our way before its too late… the team should be:
KRUL
SIMPSON = WILLO = COLLO = SANTON
CABAYE = TIOTE = GUTHRIE
HBA
BA = CISSE
People always talk about how HBA should be kept out of games but tomorrow I think he will be key in breaking down their 5 man midfield, if it doesn’t work Pardew could always switch back to his trusted 442 and be more defensive.
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Mar 3, 2012 at 10:19 PM
Comment #117rich_toonfan Pieters game against England was only his second game since that long term injury. He only played 30mins of football before being called up to the Holland team and he looked in great shape. If we don’t sign that man we will really miss a trick I think
danishmag
Mar 3, 2012 at 10:19 PM
Comment #118rich..
I guess that time will tell :o)
What is your result for tomorrow, mate?
rich_toonfan
Mar 3, 2012 at 10:22 PM
Comment #119thanks Ruddy, like i say, not seen a great deal of him so can’t really comment.
and danish i think we will win, sunderland will sit back and try to counter, think ba and cisse are too good and will get a goal forcing them to come at us and I think the atmosphere in the stadium will make our players keep attacking throughout the match….think we will win 3 or 4-1.
what do you think?
daffy
Mar 3, 2012 at 10:22 PM
Comment #120Where yous watchin the game tmro lads ? Stanley WMC for me , full of mags – got crucified last one ( 5-1 ) but revenge will be sweet .