After Newcastle lost Andy Carroll, Kevin Nolan, Joey Barton and Jose Enrique last year, Newcastle have been the real surprise team in the Premier League this season.
Danny Guthrie – getting into Europa League would be fantastic
And while the players who have left have not all fared well, Newcastle are going great guns in the league in 6th position, and 5 points clear of Liverpool, whom Andy and Jose joined last year.
Jose looks as good as he was at Newcastle, but Andy is struggling to score goals and justify his massive £35M price tag.
To think that last summer there were fears among some Newcastle fans, that we could even be in a relegation fight this season, but it just hasn’t materialized.
And in the first 50 league games with Alan Pardew in charge, he’s done better than everybody else except Kevin Keegan, in his so far successful if short reign as the Newcastle manager.
It’s an open question as to whether Danny Guthrie will want to stay at Newcastle when his contract runs out in June, because he’s not getting the playing time he wants.
But the former Liverpool midfielder says the squad is motivated for the run-in to the season.
This is what Danny boy told the local press today:
“Getting into the Europa League would be fantastic for us because it wasn’t expected of us at the start of the season. It’s within our grasp. If we keep working in the last nine games, we can get there.”
“We just need to show our determination now until the end of the season.” “It will be tough on Sunday– the away games are always difficult – but hopefully we’ll have a couple of players back.”
“Then there will be a few more options for the manager.” “Sometimes the spirit is enough. They always say that good teams win when they don’t play well.”
“Norwich was tough, they’re a side in the top 10 and we know how difficult it is to get in there.” “We said in that game, a clean sheet would win it.” “And that’s exactly what happened.”
West Brom are usually a better side on the road than at home this season, but that may be changing because they have beaten Sunderland 4-0 and Chelsea 1-0 in their last two league games at The Hawthorns.
We know it’s going to be a tough game on Sunday, and we’d be happy enough with a point, but if our lads can start to play well, we could even pick up all 3 points, for the second game running.
Howay The Lads!!
174 comments so far
gaz 44
Mar 23, 2012 at 3:27 PM
Comment #81lets hope pards has realised we can’t play a high line against the speedy attack of brom and it should be all 3 points
ROSHAN
Mar 23, 2012 at 3:33 PM
Comment #82today its my birthday and if we win on Sunday then that will be the best gift for me
check the toastie
Mar 23, 2012 at 3:44 PM
Comment #83Happy birthday ROSHAN, is the missus doin owt special for you………….
t00ntime
Mar 23, 2012 at 3:45 PM
Comment #84if tiote is out we will need to defend, if we play like we did against norwich we will fine IF we skip the 20mins where every pass missed and we mis the 15mins where krul keeps kicking it to no one (15mins straight!! again and again) 35mins we played awful but for the other 55 we didnt play bad at all… we didnt penetrate but we werent far off Ba and cisse had enough chances to socre 5 with ease
t00ntime
Mar 23, 2012 at 3:46 PM
Comment #85ah all is well lawro has us done as a 2-1 loss !
Rowan Milsted
Mar 23, 2012 at 3:46 PM
Comment #86West Brom are a sticky side; full of pace, love to counter attack and are well set up. The strange thing with them is that on their day they can beat just about anyone, but when they’re off-form they can get hammered by very average teams. I think they’ll fancy a point at least so as Jonas says, we’ll have to be on our guard.
A win would be great and results were kind mid-week, esp. Chelsea and Liverpool, also the Arsenal game if that Drenthe goal had been given… it wasn’t offside! I think a point would be acceptable though.
As for the summer, we really need a CB (feels like I’ve been saying that for a long time… oh, wait, I have) a winger or 2, maybe a CM and definitely a young(ish) striker. Hopefully we’ll do that.
PS happy birthday Roshan! I went to SJP and saw the Norwich game for my birthday, not the greatest game but seeing Cisse score and sitting deep in the Gallowgate end was simply amazing!
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Mar 23, 2012 at 3:56 PM
Comment #87Testing one two, testing one two
ROSHAN
Mar 23, 2012 at 3:58 PM
Comment #88thanks check the toast i am still a bachelor and its my 23 birthday
geoff777
Mar 23, 2012 at 4:05 PM
Comment #89WBA play better away from home because they are a counter-attacking side.
We need to not over commit. Not bomb forward like idiots.
Play five in midfield with Cisse upfront, Shola after 75mins.
Then patiently wait for a moment or two of sheer class from our quality forwards.
HWTL
geoff777
Mar 23, 2012 at 4:08 PM
Comment #90Happy Birthday Roshan, hope your birthday wish comes true.
HWTL
Tsunki
Mar 23, 2012 at 4:11 PM
Comment #91Roshan – keep it that way my lad! 😉
Someone mentioned Drenthe before, I remembered he was a good turn when he appeared against us he would look good in our outfit methinks.
joe
Mar 23, 2012 at 4:12 PM
Comment #92I’m sorry but I do agree with Bob. If we really ARE serious about Europe next season, we need to offload a whole lot of dross in the summer. Simpson, Williamson, Ranger, Perch, Lovenkrands, Ameobi, Guthrie.. Just to name a few. Hell, why stop there? Cabaye can go too, he’s been poor for a while, Tiote, Ben Arfa, Colo, PARDEW… all can go!
I think what’s REALLY REALLY important is we bring in Billy as the creative fulcrum of our team and Ted as our defensive rock, with Bob as the manager. That surely will win us the title no?
Jail for Ashley
Mar 23, 2012 at 4:14 PM
Comment #93Tsunki
Does that Drenthe play in the same role as Tiote or is he more attacking.
mickg108
Mar 23, 2012 at 4:15 PM
Comment #94ED !!!!!,,,I Officially ask for a Billy/Bob/Ted Block button….
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Mar 23, 2012 at 4:18 PM
Comment #95Perhaps Ed could do a poll asking users of the site who wants them kicked out?
mickg108
Mar 23, 2012 at 4:19 PM
Comment #96I notice 202,179 Spam Messages have been blocked,yet B/B/T must have posted twice that amount of Drivel..
Tsunki
Mar 23, 2012 at 4:21 PM
Comment #97Geoff777 spot on with the 5-man we need to make sure that we boss that midfield and cut out any surge forward from there. We definitely need to make sure that there is no gap between defence and our DM(s). In other words, we must make sure there is no space between mid and the back four. No white space even! (Ha see what I did there?). I would stick with perch rather than guthrie for the minute, I think we need to absolutely ensure we do not lose.
geoff777
Mar 23, 2012 at 4:26 PM
Comment #98@Tsunki
We need to play it cool and not over commit.
Let HBA run at them from midfield, while Tiote & Perch stay deep.
geoff777
Mar 23, 2012 at 4:29 PM
Comment #99@Tsunki
If a website has a black background is it still called whitespace? … it just doesn’t seem right somehow …
GeordieGesus
Mar 23, 2012 at 4:35 PM
Comment #100So Carlos Tevez says that he got upset because Mancini “treated him like a dog” which is a bit strange when you consider that he gets paid to chase a ball around a field……..
geoff777
Mar 23, 2012 at 4:36 PM
Comment #101@GeordieGesus
lol
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Mar 23, 2012 at 4:37 PM
Comment #102http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11670/7620440/Wenger-Race-is-heating-up
Nice of Wenger there. Pretty funny too that he’s almost written Liverpool off 🙂
Tsunki
Mar 23, 2012 at 4:43 PM
Comment #103Geoff777 @86 spot on there me boy. Safety first we are so close it don’t need to be pretty and I will take another 1-0. The unwashed must never close up and the 2nd mackems (skiprats) must finish behind us. Carroll and enrique can keep their plastic cup I want them to look upwards at where they should have been. Not bitter or owt. 🙂
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Mar 23, 2012 at 4:48 PM
Comment #104I think I’m back! Thank you to my moderator 🙂
Tsunki
Mar 23, 2012 at 4:49 PM
Comment #105Jail @ 92 – never actually looked up his official position but he was a right ruddy nuisance up the wing all day, seemed to love to get up there so I would say attacking, but not in a cabaye or even hba way, more robust and pretty pacy, good skills to get past his man. Their fans seem to love him to bits.
LGFUAD21
Mar 23, 2012 at 4:51 PM
Comment #106Late but IN
Great idea.
This blog seems to have some people that make sense on it today.
No High Line
5 man Midfield (we havent really played it in a while but it has worked good for us earlier in the season)
Id probably play
Simmo Willo Colo Santon
Cabaye Tiote Perch Jonas
HBA
Ba/Cisse
Not too fussed on which out of the Dembas. I think Ba will nick a goal at least if he were playing outright again, which he hasnt when Cisse has appeared.
Problem with this is that we need to be very creative to score with only one striker.
Whereas playing both means we can get balls into the box and hope for the best.
But then again, with Benny in the hole he is in a better position to score than out wide. Its good that he has scored a few from cutting in though. I think Benny is easily a player with goals in him for next season.
If Santon wants to run up then Jonas needs to stay back to cover him though. We have been caught on that left side so many times because both of them are too far forward.
Play balls out from the back, we create way more promising attacks when we do this.
Timmys hoof balls only really work when we have Shola on the pitch.
I’d be half inclined to say put Shola on in second half but not sure who for. Dont like it when Benny is subbed. Maybe depending on how the game is going we should take either Jonas, Santon or Perch off for Shola and put Benny on the RW around 65th minute.
But if we play 2 CDMs (perch and Tiote) then it will afford Benny some opportunity to be magical
Tsunki
Mar 23, 2012 at 4:54 PM
Comment #107I forgot my Optimism Valley official acronym – anyone tell me what it was? And why, as it had something about the navy and water in it……..
LGFUAD21
Mar 23, 2012 at 4:58 PM
Comment #108Wenger must really see something in our team. he’s had nothing but praise for us all season.
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Mar 23, 2012 at 4:58 PM
Comment #109Tsunki…Sorry I can’t help you. I don’t even remember what mine stands for! Cod Arm isn’t too hard to remember though. I’m sure the less forgetful members of our optimistic bunch will enlighten you upon their returns
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Mar 23, 2012 at 5:00 PM
Comment #110LFG…seeing as we’re somewhat copying the Arsenal model these days (i.e. buying French :)) what other choice does he have?
Tsunki
Mar 23, 2012 at 5:00 PM
Comment #111Lfuad21 – that is exactly what should happen, emphasis on the FB’s being disciplined and we will do it. We have two great free scorers in the Dembas, & we have the luxury, with HBA behind either, of being able to play one each half and rip their cheeks apart. Top quality observation, much doffing of caps etc. 🙂
geoff777
Mar 23, 2012 at 5:03 PM
Comment #112I’m not sure I’d play Santon in this game, he gets forward too much … usually this is good but not against a counter-attacking team.
Play really tight, let them come to us.
Fat Mikes Dirty Laundry
Mar 23, 2012 at 5:04 PM
Comment #113Would personally go Cisse over Ba as WBA have 2 huge center halves and the long balls to Ba will be coming straight back at us more often than not. Use Cisse’s pace to unsettle them and bring Ba on around the 60 min mark, depending on the score.
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Mar 23, 2012 at 5:07 PM
Comment #114Tsunki was Head of Optimism Valley Air Strike Team
HOVAST 😀
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Mar 23, 2012 at 5:08 PM
Comment #115F.M.D.L…..At first I agreed with your post, but hasn’t Ba scored like 4 in 2 games against WBA? Believe I read it somewhere earlier, but not 100% sure…been one of those days. TFIF!
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Mar 23, 2012 at 5:09 PM
Comment #116If it isn’t the Major himself. Good day to you sir
ROSHAN
Mar 23, 2012 at 5:12 PM
Comment #117thank you Geoff and tsunki
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Mar 23, 2012 at 5:12 PM
Comment #118Why hello there good citizens 😀
geoff777
Mar 23, 2012 at 5:12 PM
Comment #119I think Cisse up front with HBA and Cabaye running at them from midfield. Everyone else stays deep.
If we score play even tighter.
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Mar 23, 2012 at 5:13 PM
Comment #120Happy Birthday Roshan. Hope you have a great one 🙂