The game will kick off in less than four hours now – one of the most important games of the season for Newcastle United – at home to Sunderland.
Fabricio Coloccini – Newcastle captain must have strong game
And we’ll see just how good some of our players are this afternoon.
The central spine for Newcastle is important with Coloccini and Mike Williamson, Cheick Tiote and Yohan Cabaye, and Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse very important players for Newcastle.
Our weakness last week was in midfield and at the back, where our two central defenders have not been as solid as they have been in times gone by.
And although it was the first time they had played together since early January, Cheick Tiote and Yohan Cabaye did not get a grip on midfield, and if we are to get all 3 points today – which is the only goal – then they have to play a lot better than last week.
We know Sunderland will be ready, because Martin O’Neill is not only a thorough manager, but he is a good one, and he will have worked out where the Newcastle weaknesses are , and in our last two games – at Tottenham and at home to Wolves – we had far too many.
So we have to hope that the occasion will be enough to snap some of our players into their best form, and a win is what we want to see.
With the great news yesterday that captain Fabricio Coloccini and outstanding young goalkeeper Tim Krul had signed new long term deals at the club, a win would be even more reason to celebrate today.
And both Liverpool and Chelsea lost yesterday, so there’s a chance to gain three points on those sides near the top of the Premier League table this afternoon.
The shoot-out starts at high noon – and we have to win this one – with Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse providing the bullets – no excuses.
Howay The Lads!!
29 comments so far
ginkoh
Mar 4, 2012 at 8:38 AM
Comment #1Feel so excite before this match. Even I saw every our match this season but still be like this every time we play especially against Mckems ! Howay the lads !
It’s the war ! and we will conquer it !
geoff777
Mar 4, 2012 at 8:40 AM
Comment #2Morning All,
Lovely sunny day here in Spain.
Brown ale chilling in the fridge.
Butterflies in the stomach.
Bring them dirty Mackems on!!!
HWTL
Tom4Nufc
Mar 4, 2012 at 8:40 AM
Comment #3I’m so pumped for this afternoon, it’s unbelievable… If we can somehow win this game be it by a 95th minute own goal I don’t care- It would make my year to do the double over that mackem lot!!! Think Benny will be given a cameo role and will shine with incredible atmosphere!!!
HWTL
The_Toon
Mar 4, 2012 at 8:44 AM
Comment #44-4-1-1 to make sure they don’t take control of midfield at the beginning then we should switch to 4-4-2 .. Anyone think we should start with shola up front for the first half then introduce cisse in the 2nd since he’s not 100% fit? Or is he completely fit? I have a feeling Ben Arfa is starting today
ilovetoon8788
Mar 4, 2012 at 8:57 AM
Comment #5Who else thinks that either Ba or Cisse will be dropped for Mackem Slayer Ameobi?
Belly
Mar 4, 2012 at 9:03 AM
Comment #6I’ve got a funny feeling that AP will start with Ben Arfa just behind Ba, I think due to his recent injury Papisto will be on the bench. I think Benny may drop back into the midfield at times to help Cabaye and Tiote win the midfield battle this will allow Jonas and Raylor (who I think will start on the right wing) get further forward. To win this match Tiote needs to be on it like he was against Manushited earlier this year. If we can have more of the ball and be solid at the back we have much more quality than the scum for creating chances to win the came comfortably.
Belly
Mar 4, 2012 at 9:04 AM
Comment #7*game.
cestriasteve
Mar 4, 2012 at 9:08 AM
Comment #8Its ok for you Geordies today, us half breeds have to come back from the match to scenes which look like gunfight at the OK corral, with each side of the town trying to kill each other. Anyway the mackems have got too many injuries and will struggle today. Hopefully Cabeye and Tiote will be on better form than last Saturday.
GFH
Mar 4, 2012 at 9:09 AM
Comment #9I thought Shola was “ill”, if so then he definitely won’t start ,and even if fit I wouldn’t start him . I want us to boss the midfield at first then move into the attack , and , if he doessn’t start I want Ben Arfa to have a chance to make things hapen at some point.
cestriasteve
Mar 4, 2012 at 9:10 AM
Comment #10Ilovetoon@5 yes I think Shola will start or have a big impact today.
Belly@6 no i think its a straight 4-4-2
jesperfuglsang
Mar 4, 2012 at 9:13 AM
Comment #11Pardew’s going to play 4-4-2; apparently that’s how he thinks us fans wants us to play 🙁
Don’t know where he’s got that from, but I think someone should tell him B-) lol
Belly
Mar 4, 2012 at 9:15 AM
Comment #12@cestriasteve. I think your probably right. I’m just a bit concerned at Papistos fitness. If he’s fit I belive he will start up front alongside Ba in a 4-4-2
magpiebop
Mar 4, 2012 at 9:20 AM
Comment #13Haway the lads
cestriasteve
Mar 4, 2012 at 9:22 AM
Comment #14was reading someones analysis on here about why our sudden poor run of results of late and that they thought it was because Santon moves forward too much and throws the remaining 3 defenders out of line, I think that person got it spot on. Santon is quality in my book but we need to find a solution.
Most of the Red half of Chester arent looking forward to this, defeat here and then at Everton and thats there season over.
Marty-Toon
Mar 4, 2012 at 9:23 AM
Comment #15Hoping to get home in time to get the start of the game otherwise i hope were leading when i get in.
Will say a prayer for the lads,I’m quite sure God is a toon fan 🙂
darrenfletcher88
Mar 4, 2012 at 9:26 AM
Comment #16This afternoon gentlemen we dine in he’ll!!!!!!
Marty-Toon
Mar 4, 2012 at 9:33 AM
Comment #17cestriasteve,
Agree about santon,although he’s quality he bombs forward which is great but is often outa position when the opposition attack thus Collo has to cover n go out of position.
He’s still getting used to the PL though but I’d love to see him on at RB and maybe fergie at LB
Shola won’t be starting today with him being ill a few days ago.
AP was saying yesterday it’ll be the same team but hopefully just to throw the opposition off.
Would like 5 in the middle but think he’ll go with the 442 zzzzzzzzzz
jesperfuglsang
Mar 4, 2012 at 9:33 AM
Comment #18@steve
There are probably many reasons and depending on how to look at it maybe that’s one of the reasons.
But for me in order for a modern 4-4-2 to work fullbacks need to go forward and put pressure on the opponent – that was what Enrique did for us and what he does for Liverpool.
But a modern 4-4-2 needs to be tight, which ours isn’t. Two factors are important:
1) keep possession, to take the heat of our defense
2) only play with two forwards if you create enough chances.
We don’t seem to fullfill any of the two. That’s why we struggle in my opinion.
Marty-Toon
Mar 4, 2012 at 9:40 AM
Comment #19Jesper
Think next season we will see fergie in the team and hopefully one of our other players steps up to RW and then we will see better delivies into the box for he strikers.
Also I think fergie at LB will help us keep the ball in the team.
Santon and marveau on the right or Ben Arfa/Obertan/Hoilett
evthegeordie
Mar 4, 2012 at 9:41 AM
Comment #20Spoke to the landlord at the pub last night, he’s going to let me in at 11.45, can’t bloody wait!!! Come on the toon, from down here in Nottingham!
HWTL
OLDGEORDIE
Mar 4, 2012 at 9:44 AM
Comment #21I am older than any of you but still excited HWTL
mansize scotty
Mar 4, 2012 at 9:47 AM
Comment #22Morning boys, I’m a new starter, but I’m afraid I disagree about shoal playing 2day. He has been shocking the last half a dozen games.
woodsee
Mar 4, 2012 at 9:48 AM
Comment #23Full day on the lash when the stench are in town.
3 0 to the toon Cisse first goal happy days
Steve_48
Mar 4, 2012 at 9:50 AM
Comment #24Morning Geoff, luck b*st*rd 😉
And here we have rain, San Miguel in the fridge
HWTL
LINKS [will appear here after 11 UK time]:
http://www.wiziwig.tv/broadcast.php?matchid=146982&part=sports
Stuart
Mar 4, 2012 at 9:57 AM
Comment #25Bloody hate early kickoffs like, need to drag myself out of bed very soon to get down the pub in time.
I’m calling 2-1 today, Ba, Cisse and Sessingon.
HWTL!
magpiebop
Mar 4, 2012 at 10:04 AM
Comment #26Pub breakfast in the 3 bulls awaits
Oleg G
Mar 4, 2012 at 10:16 AM
Comment #27Hope you will all read this!!!
I wasn’t able to check the whole game against Wolves, but I did check the first half and here are some stats for you:
GK+Defense:
Tim Krul:
Pass on ground, to defense: 2
Long Balls: 16 (13 bad, ball was lost or given to a player in a bad situation which didn’t help at all and was returned to the defense or GK. 3 passes were good).
Saves: 2 good saves/decision made.
Giving the ball to a teammate in a bad situation:10
Simmo:
Passes: 15 completed. mostly in our own half.
Shots: 1 shot on target
Headers: 2 good headers
Long balls: 6 bad long balls. 5 were lost, 1 didn’t help.
Pressure: 2 times made good pressure
Steals: 1
Good defending (good decision): 2
Bad defending: 3
Throw-ins: 1 bad
Giving the ball to a teammate in a bad situation: 3
Willo:
passes: 10 complete
Ball lost after passing on ground: 1
Ball lost after a bad header: 2
Headers: 5. 4 of them bad, 1 good.
Long balls: 5. 4 bad. 1 good. 3 were lost.
Fouls: 2
Pressure: 1
Good defending: 4
Bad defending: 4
Giving the ball to a teammate in a bad situation: 4
Colo:
Passes: 8 completed
Dribble: 1 good
Headers: 1 good
Long balls: 3. 1 bad, 2 good. 1 lost.
Fouls: 2
Pressure: 6. Pressure that made us win the ball back: 2.
Steals: 2
Good defending: 6
Bad defending: 3
Giving the ball to a teammate in a bad situation: 4
Santon:
Passes: 16 completed
Dribble/run with ball: 4 good
Crosses: 1 bad. Ball lost.
Header: 1 good
Long ball: 1 good
Holding the ball under pressure: 2 good.
Pressure: 7 Pressure that made us win the ball back : 2
Steals: 3
Good defending: 3
Bad defending: 2
Throw-ins: 1 bad.
Giving the ball to a teammate in a bad situation: 2
Oleg G
Mar 4, 2012 at 10:26 AM
Comment #28Midfield:
R.Taylor:
Passes: 10 completed
Shots on target: 1
Crosses: 1 good
Free kicks: 2 bad
Header: 1 good
Long ball: 1 bad. Ball lost after long ball 1.
Pressure: 4 Pressure that made us win the ball back :1
Good defending: 1
Throw-ins: 1 good. 1 bad.
Corners: 2
Giving the ball to a teammate in a bad situation: 2
Cabaye:
Passes: 15 completed
Dribble/runs with ball: 3 good. 1 bad.
Ball lost after dribble: 1
Ball lost after passing on the ground: 1
Headers: 1 good. 1 bad.
Long balls: 2 good. 3 bad. 2 lost.
Holding the ball under pressure: 3 good
Pressure: 15 Pressure that made us win the ball back:4
Steals: 2
Good defending: 2
Giving the ball to a teammate in a bad situation: 5
Tiote:
Passes: 22 completed
Dribble/run with ball: 3 good.
Shots off target: 1
Crosses: 1 bad
Header: 2 good.
Long ball: 2 bad. 1 good. 2 lost.
Holding the ball under pressure: 2 good
Pressure: 13 Pressure that made us win the ball back:4
Good defending: 2
Giving the ball to a teammate in a bad situation: 5
Guti:
Passes: 16 completed
Dribble/run with ball:2
Shots on target: 1
Crosses: 2 bad
Ball lost after cross: 2
Ball lost after passing on the ground: 1
Header: 1 good
Long balls: 2 bad. 2 lost.
Holding the ball under pressure: 1 good. 1 bad.
Pressure: 7 Pressure that made us win the ball back:2
Steals: 2
Giving the ball to a teammate in a bad situation: 4
Goal: 1
Oleg G
Mar 4, 2012 at 10:33 AM
Comment #29Strikers:
Cisse:
Passes: 8 completed
Dribble/run with ball: 2 good. 1 bad.
Ball lost after dribble: 1
Shots: 1 on target. 1 off target.
Crosses: 1 good.
Header: 3 good
Pressure: 10 Pressure that made us win the ball back:3
Giving the ball to a teammate in a bad situation: 1
Goal: 1
Ba:
Passes: 4 completed. 1 not.
Dribble/run with ball: 1 good
Shots: 1 on target. 1 off target.
Ball lost after dribble: 1
Header: 2 good
Foul: 1
Pressure: 4
Good defending: 1