Newcastle have a decent chance of marking up their 5th league win in a row this afternoon against Bolton Wanderers.
Newcastle have successive wins against Norwich, West Brom, Liverpool and Swansea, and in that run Newcastle have scored 8 goals and conceded only one.
Certainly if our readers are anything to go by in our poll, Newcastle fans are expecting the win, and a high 92% of them think we will win the game this afternoon.
But that’s why we are just a little bit worried that the lads may take this one for granted, but we’re also pretty sure that Alan Pardew will ensure the players’ feet are firmly on the ground.
The lads will also have 12 days to recover from today’s game, before they are in action again, at home to Stoke a week come Saturday.
And by then we would hope that Liverpool have made the FA Cup final, and if that happens, it’s almost certain that Newcastle will be in the Europa League next season, if they can retain their 6th place in the league table.
If that comes about you can bet your life the new target for Newcastle will be to finish in the top four, and make the European Champions League next season, which would be absolutely spectacular and the first time since Bobby Robson had us there in the 2003-2004 season..
In 117 total meetings against Bolton Wanderers over the years, Newcastle have won 54, drawn 21 and lost the other 42.
What the team will be this afternoon is a very good question, and we’d be surprised if Cheick Tiote starts the game, and of course Danny Guthrie and Haris Vuckic are both definitely out, injured.
Fab Coloccini could make a return since he seems to have recovered form his hamstring injury, and we have a feeling he will be brought back in so that James Perch will be moved to Tiote’s position in defensive midfield.
We wouldn’t be too surprised if Newcastle start this team today:
Krul
Simpson Coloccini (c) Williamson Santon
Ben Arfa Cabaye Perch Gutierrez
Ba Cisse
Subs: Elliot Tavernier Ferguson Abeid Taylor (R) Gosling Ameobi (Sh)
That’s a very strong starting eleven, and Newcastle could play 4-4-2 as shown above or 4-3-3 with Ben Arfa, Papiss Cisse and Demba Ba up front, but Alan Pardew has promised Newcastle will take this game to Bolton.
The Newcastle manager had this to say today about the game:
“The stadium is going to be jumping on Monday. Hopefully we’ve got the energy levels to see that across the line, because if we win that we are going to be in a great position.”
“Bolton have only got a two-day turnaround, so it’s tough on them. Hopefully that will be an advantage for us.”
With Chelsea not kicking off in their game at Fulham until 8:00 pm tonight, anything out of this game today will again see Newcastle back in 5th position.
But if we are going to get into Europe this season, this is probably on paper our easiest game of the six remaining, at least on paper, and we should be picking up all three points.
We have to hope the defense is again very solid and that our two top strikers Papis Cisse and Demba Ba can get in among the goals, and maybe Ben Arfa can chip in too.
A win would be fantastic and would make it five wins on the trot, and the first time Newcastle have done that since April of 2006, the last time be qualified for Europe.
If you haven’t already voted, here’s your chance to say what you think the result will be today:
We’re really hoping for the win today.
Howay The Lads!!
88 comments so far
Robby Bobson
Apr 9, 2012 at 1:21 PM
Comment #41Anyone watching Sheffield Wednesday…
Ranger looks disinterested and his movement when their wingers have got it makes Ameobi look like Papiss Cisse.
Get rid ASAP.
beefman13
Apr 9, 2012 at 1:27 PM
Comment #42colo cabaye tiote out i expect a tough game any victory would be brilliant,, benny cisse or ba again to pull it out for us. bolton are not lambs to the slaughter.
Robby Bobson
Apr 9, 2012 at 1:28 PM
Comment #43On the same note, how much a year can change things…in this league one fixture there are two strikers who were part of our strike force last season (ranger and Kuqi) and they both struggling.
LGFUAD21
Apr 9, 2012 at 1:28 PM
Comment #44nufc786
Wouldnt take Balotelli. Perfect example of what happens when you pay a child too much money. City should get rid of him. I’d say he worse than Tevez to be there.
Pards may have handled HBA well but Balotelli is a completely different monster. A great footballer that will never reach his potential because of his attitude.
StuW
Apr 9, 2012 at 1:30 PM
Comment #45We should win today, even with a weakened side. We cannot afford to lose this, even with the massive gap between us and 7th, we can still keep within touching distance of the top 4. Whether we are actually going for it or not, as long as we are mathematically able to get there we should be aiming at it.
Spreadthetoon
Apr 9, 2012 at 1:32 PM
Comment #46Ey Ed,
Agree with your teamsheet format. However a lot has been made of Demba Ba.
Peeps should remember that we would not be where we are today without his efforts! For me it would make more sense for Ba to play in the central role. He can hold up the ball and feed our other out n out attacking players of Ben Arfa and Cisse. This in my opinion would definitely work and keep all 3 happy! It also gives more attacking options and enables greater link up play with our midfield……simples:)
HWTL
Tsunki
Apr 9, 2012 at 1:41 PM
Comment #47Lads just in lloyds bar at the gate, what”s the team sheet?
toonking
Apr 9, 2012 at 1:51 PM
Comment #48tsunki no team sheet yet
JAMSHA
Apr 9, 2012 at 1:52 PM
Comment #49i voted win… but bolton are tough. cant rule them.out
magpie6699
Apr 9, 2012 at 1:53 PM
Comment #50Off to the game. Hope we score more than we concede! HWTL!
GHOSD (The poster formerly known as Ruddy Marveaux-lous)
Apr 9, 2012 at 1:56 PM
Comment #51Is Dannyo about? He is usually quick off the mark when the lineups are out
Robby Bobson
Apr 9, 2012 at 1:57 PM
Comment #52first is usually lee ryder on twitter….nout from him yet
Hatem's better than Messi
Apr 9, 2012 at 1:58 PM
Comment #533/4 of the way through my first bottle of red wine.
Pacing myself so I’m concious for the second half.
Playing Hendrix to get me in the mood – “I’m a Voodoo Chile, Lord knows I’m a Voodoo Chile”.
Toon win coming up.
Could be a massacre.
Howay the fookin’ lads.
Dannyo
Apr 9, 2012 at 2:00 PM
Comment #54I’m about but on phone so no chance to be quick today 😉
Dannyo
Apr 9, 2012 at 2:00 PM
Comment #55@NUFCOfficial: #NUFC v #bwfc (4-3-3): Krul; Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini (c), Santon; Cabaye, Perch, Gutierrez; Ben Arfa, Ba, Cisse. #newcastle #epl
Robby Bobson
Apr 9, 2012 at 2:00 PM
Comment #56#nufc Krul, Simpson, Coloccini, Williamson, Santon, Jonas, Perch, Cabaye, Ben Arfa, Cisse, Ba
toonking
Apr 9, 2012 at 2:00 PM
Comment #57i keep looking on SS but they still don’t seem to have it
Tooooon
Apr 9, 2012 at 2:00 PM
Comment #58I knew Colloccini would be back in!! I love that guy!!!!
GeordieMeerkat
Apr 9, 2012 at 2:01 PM
Comment #59#nufc Krul, Simpson, Coloccini, Williamson, Santon, Jonas, Perch, Cabaye, Ben Arfa, Cisse, Ba
From Lee Ryder
Pardew's fist pump
Apr 9, 2012 at 2:01 PM
Comment #60(4-3-3): Krul; Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini (c), Santon; Cabaye, Perch, Gutierrez; Ben Arfa, Ba, Cisse
Robby Bobson
Apr 9, 2012 at 2:01 PM
Comment #61dannyo..still quicker than me tho!!
Good looking team, glad perchy is in midfield with no Tiote.
Dannyo
Apr 9, 2012 at 2:01 PM
Comment #62Collo back and Cabaye healthy, Bolton are so dead….
Pardew's fist pump
Apr 9, 2012 at 2:02 PM
Comment #63Colo back, Cabaye fit – huge boost! 😀
Robby Bobson
Apr 9, 2012 at 2:03 PM
Comment #64surprised its 433 still…would have thought we would have gone Ba and Cisse up top against a team we should dominate anyway. but who have beasts at centre back.
Oh well, if its not broke dont fix it.
jesperfuglsang
Apr 9, 2012 at 2:03 PM
Comment #65Pardew really likes to keep everyone guessing until the last minut 😉 lol
I thought both Colo and Cabaye would be out!
Since not, there is really nothing surprising about the team 🙂
HWTL
Hatem's better than Messi
Apr 9, 2012 at 2:04 PM
Comment #66Colo back … hope that’s not a huge gamble
Great team … hope the crowd are really up for it.
Cheer every tackle, cheer every pass!!!!
HWTL
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Apr 9, 2012 at 2:04 PM
Comment #67Good strong team selection. Come on the toon!
toonking
Apr 9, 2012 at 2:05 PM
Comment #68again sky sports disrepect us
they said all 3 teams chasing arsenal are playing today but did not bother to name newcastle along with spurs and cheati
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Apr 9, 2012 at 2:05 PM
Comment #69Hatem….and of course cheer every goal…and there will be lots 🙂
Hatem's better than Messi
Apr 9, 2012 at 2:06 PM
Comment #70@Robby Bobson
433 Forever!!!!
pardew no 1
Apr 9, 2012 at 2:07 PM
Comment #71ed ur team was right well done theirs ur medal
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Apr 9, 2012 at 2:07 PM
Comment #72ToonKing…I’m starting not to mind them skipping past us. Keeps the pressure off us and on the other teams. Will be hard for them not to mention us if we finish above one or two of those teams come the end of the season!
Kris
Apr 9, 2012 at 2:08 PM
Comment #73Agree with Robby Bobsen, we should be playing 4–4-2 against a team like Bolton. I hope we do, like much better to see Gutierrez runing ups and dows the flank 🙂 But let us win this game anyway!? Let the Bah find the net!
toonking
Apr 9, 2012 at 2:08 PM
Comment #74with colo playing in the team today i feel a bit shocked as it looks risky.
could he be thinking well after this game we have almost two weeks before the following game as this week is fa cup week and we would have played chelsea who are still in
Hatem's better than Messi
Apr 9, 2012 at 2:08 PM
Comment #75@Ibizatoon
We always cheer goals.
Wish the crowd was always up for it like v Bindippers & Scum.
Big win coming up …
HWT … fookin …. L
Robby Bobson
Apr 9, 2012 at 2:08 PM
Comment #76Who would have thought two months ago that Tiote would miss out and be replaced by Perch….and noone seems bothered by it.
We’ve got Perchinho!!
Rotonda heights
Apr 9, 2012 at 2:09 PM
Comment #77As toondownunder said, why do people keep spelling loose when they mean lose!!
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Apr 9, 2012 at 2:11 PM
Comment #78Rotonda…I would imagine it’s due to people having different levels of education and or intellect. Not a big issue, surely? This is a football blog rather than a spelling blog after all.
God a spelling blog sounds like lots of fun doesn’t it?
OLDGEORDIE
Apr 9, 2012 at 2:13 PM
Comment #79Toonking, according to SSN Colo out and Tiote and Cabaye having pre-match tests
OLDGEORDIE
Apr 9, 2012 at 2:16 PM
Comment #80Gratefully, I and SSN stand corrected Colo in
HWTL