A Newcastle win this afternoon against Stoke City could see Newcastle go into fourth place in the Premier League table.
Newcastle haven’t played since Easter Monday when in a difficult game we managed to take all three points with late goals from Ben Arfa and Papiss Cisse.
It was a difficult game against the Trotters and it even looked like we would drop two points to the relegation fighting side, until Ben Arfa scored that amazing goal to put Newcastle ahead and Papiss Cisse got his 10th goal in 9 game after 83 minutes to seal the win.
Danny Guthrie and Cheick Tiote are fit again for this game, and we think Cheick will come straight back into the side in his central defensive midfield position.
And news yesterday that Sylvain Marveaux could even be available and it would be a bit of a shock if the makes it on the bench.
Leon Best is back fit again and we could see Leon back on the bench with Shola Ameobi, and we expect at least Shola to get a run-out this afternoon.
And one player who could possibly miss the game today, is our outstanding young Dutch goalkeeper Tim Krul, who missed training yesterday with a back spasm.
While Alan Pardew said he thought Tim would be OK for the game today, that could be a shock when the team is announced at around 2:00 pm today.
Rob Elliott would be Tim’s replacement, and he would be making his Premier League debut, with the more experienced Steve Harper suffering currently from a knee injury.
Here’s the team we think Alan Pardew will start this afternoon:
Krul
Simpson Coloccini (c) Williamson Santon
Cabaye Tiote Gutierrez
Ben Arfa Cisse Demba Ba
Subs: Elliot Perch Guthrie Taylor (R) Ferguson Ameobi (Sh) Best
That’s a strong starting eleven and also a strong bench.
There’s no room there for young James Tavernier or Mehdi Abeid, and Haris Vuckic is currently injured, but it seems those younger players will be playing their part for Newcastle next season in Europe.
Newcastle will need to keep up their strong defensive work this afternoon, and we’ve only conceded one goal in the last five games, in amassing five wins and scoring 10 goals to improve our goal difference by +9.
And Stoke City are a much better team at home than they are on the road, and we’ll be hoping for all 3 points today.
If Newcastle are indeed to qualify for the Champions League next season, these are games we just have to win, and at least on paper, this looks to be the easiest of our remaining five games.
Most of our readers believe Newcastle can get the win today, with 90% thinking we can get all 3 points today.
And if you haven’t yet voted on the outcome of the game today – here’s your chance.
Howay The Lads!!
131 comments so far
Beattie25
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:00 AM
Comment #1I wanted to be first so I did what I had to do
Beattie25
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:00 AM
Comment #2I still want a chelsea win today coupled with a QPR victory. We would then be 5 points off 3rd with a game in hand. Tasty.
Chelsea will get hammered at the nou camp and then have the headache of playing us and then the fa cup shortly after.
It’s a delicious set of circumstances evolving in front of our eyes and we are in the thick of it. So much to play for. 1 game at a time whilst all the other teams have their distractions.
Will Harry stay? Will RVP stay? Can Chelsea win the champions league?
We could do this!
Beattie25
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:03 AM
Comment #3If we win today and Everton loose we guarantee 6th don’t we?
Beattie25
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:04 AM
Comment #4What the hell? Do I smell or something? Where is everyone?
Beattie25
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:05 AM
Comment #5People see the name of beattie25 and run in fear. It’s a match day and I’m the only one here!
Beattie25
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:05 AM
Comment #6Echo
Beattie25
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:06 AM
Comment #7Has the world ended?
Beattie25
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:08 AM
Comment #8Did anyone else hear that pin drop?
Beattie25
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:08 AM
Comment #9I’d this a practical joke? Did you all organise this ?
rich_toonfan
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:09 AM
Comment #10Hi Beattie
I just came on to add something about danny simpson.
The reason his isn’t happy with how he is being paid is down to how football contracts are sorted now.
It has to be paid as a salary so he will be charged 50% tax on income above 100,000 a year where as before they were paid as image rights so he would only pay 20% tax.
Rangers paid a fortune out in image rights, now owe HMRC a fortune in unpaid tax and are i administartion. Newcastle officials met with HMRC a few months ago and we started to remove these payments before we would have to owe vast sums of tax.
simmo probably wants more money to make up for the loss in tax.
Beattie25
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:09 AM
Comment #11nufcblog.com/I’msolonely
jonobbad
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:10 AM
Comment #123-1 to the Toon
3-1 to Arsenal
1-1 draw qpr and spuds
Thatll be a good day for me
Just wondering if anyone has heard about ben arfa not wanting to play against stoke? Sounds like c**p to me,
Tiote4PM
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:10 AM
Comment #13Beatie stinks!
Garreth
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:11 AM
Comment #14Ha I’m here Beattie!
Yes if we win and Everton don’t (and let’s be honest, they won’t) then we guarantee Europe for ourselves!
I would like Chelsea to win today also, and Tottenham to lose. That way we are then 2 points behind 3rd with the game in hand. Then 3rd place is in our own hands… how mental is that?!
We still have some very tough games coming up so today is a MUST win!
rich_toonfan
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:12 AM
Comment #15@jono
yeh i watched the youtube video about that yesterday.
I never trust anyone when they say “my sources have told me….blah blah blah” it just means i have made this up and trying to remove any blame from myself when it is proven to be wrong.
Surely Ben Arfa would not refuse to play now, if he was ever going to it would have been when he was on the bench for 3 months. He will want to play well to get in the france squad.
Beattie25
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:13 AM
Comment #16I’m very sorry that Simmo had to spend so much tax on an annual wage of over £1 million (not including extras for modelling and corporate gigs etc…).
I for one am against the awful poverty that modern day footballers have to live in. From this moment on I shall donate some of my minimum wage to their cause.
Garreth
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:13 AM
Comment #17Jono, I’ve seen that video as well but it’s a load of bulls**t. Ben Arfa is in the form of his life and playing incredibly well for the team now in a position he loves playing in.
Indian Magpie
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:14 AM
Comment #18beattie 25, we are all here dont worry lad
Beattie25
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:15 AM
Comment #19Its so crazy isn’t it. If arsenal loose, we win and spuds drop points 3rd place is in our own hands with 4 games left regardless ivf goal difference and other teams!!
Immense
Beattie25
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:17 AM
Comment #20I think we should do our own football video for YouTube where we make shit up. I thought it was hilarious don’t I think they were trying to be serious!
jonobbad
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:17 AM
Comment #21@Rich
You make an excellent point. And surely with him wanting to go to the euros he’ll want to play as much as possible.
On a side note, I wouldnt mind if he doesnt get in France squad. England might get hammered with him included.
Indian Magpie
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:19 AM
Comment #22i always thought HBA was better than NASRI
rich_toonfan
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:20 AM
Comment #23@beattie
he will have plenty money but surely anyone would hold out for more…..its a fact that pretty much everyone always wants more money whether your on £10,000 a year or £1,000,000 a week…there is always somebody getting more and you always want it.
So I see where he is coming from but I think he should be happy on 25,000 a week….he wont get much more than that and if he does it will be at a worse club.
AussieTom
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:21 AM
Comment #24Hey guys, long time reader, first time blogger. Whats doin?
rich_toonfan
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:24 AM
Comment #25@jono
even if he wanted to leave surely he would more likely get a move to a bigger club by playing well these last 5 games, getting to the euros and showing off on a big stage.
It’s just shoddy journalism and the more people that buy it/view it the more we encourage them unfortunately.
And also on the danny simpson contarct issue….i have no problem with players when they hit 33/34 going to spend a couple years in russia, america, chine etc for a big final pay day….but i think they are idiots if they do it whilst in the prime of their career….like Chris Samba for example.
Anelka has won every trophy worth winning and has decided to get a reported 6mil a year for the last few years of his career, thats fine but simmo moving to somebody like villa for an extra 10,000 a week…should be ashamed if he does.
NUFC_LEAZES END
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:25 AM
Comment #26@indian magpie
i agree with you mate, when ben arfa is on top of his game , he makes nasri look ‘average’ haaaa
Nufc-83
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:25 AM
Comment #27Forget Danny simpson he is a very average RB amd i dont care what stats say its there to see every time he walks on the pitch. A top 6 full back should be comfortable in possession he is not. A top 6 full back should not only be solid defensively but add something to the attack he does not. A top 6 full back should not back of and allow the winger loads of space but he does. I would say tav is already a better rb from what i have seen and i belive next year he will take that spot or at least be back up to a good quality fb.
rob
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:25 AM
Comment #28http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEqaa84sq7c&feature=youtu.be
rich_toonfan
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:32 AM
Comment #29@nufc-83
that is true, the stats dont show completed passes, type of passes, amount of time he is beaten, amount of times he lets players cross etc.
He is a good, solid prem league player but in all honesty if we had to improve a spot in the team it would be right back.
Santon is young and will develop into a very good player i believe, the right back needs looking into for the longterm. Not that I dont liek simmo I just think he needs to be improved upon for next year.
rich_toonfan
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:33 AM
Comment #30and on stats…..cisse has the best goals per minute on the pitch ratio of any player.
Is he better than Henry, Shearer etc, probably not but statistically he is.
NUFC_LEAZES END
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:35 AM
Comment #31@nufc-83
i think simmo deserves a little more respect like, the amount of times he has saved our bacon by making numorous goaline clearances, hes been there at the right time, i personally think hes improving just saying 🙂
Indian Magpie
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:36 AM
Comment #32Cisse could be as good as anybody give him time.
rich_toonfan
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:36 AM
Comment #33@leazes end
yeh he is doing a good job, and credit to him for that.
But can you name another first team spot we should improve before right back?
Rodney Cisse
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:37 AM
Comment #34Ba double today.
rich_toonfan
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:38 AM
Comment #35@indian
yeh he could be but i was just making a point, statistically he is over 3 times as prolific as shearer…is he 3 times the player? no
thats the point i am making….stats are useful but easy to take out of context.
rich_toonfan
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:39 AM
Comment #36@indian
sorry forgot to add…..if it was all down to stats surely all clubs would be after simpson…also if it was just about stats there would be no point sending scouts anywhere….just look at the stats
magpie6699
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:40 AM
Comment #37Desperate for a win today. I will relax when 6th place and Europa League is confirmed because that will represent fantastic progress. After that, anything higher this season is a bonus and i’m quite chilled about it.
Can’t relax though – so nervous! Stoke are awkward buggers. Hope we cope with them as well as we did down there. I know people don’t think wet or dry pitch makes any difference – but when it’s so wet you see players leaving the ball behind on a run, I can’t help thinking it will suit the aerial thugs better.
NUFC_LEAZES END
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:41 AM
Comment #38@rich toon fan
suppose your right like,
i think fergie should get more games on the wing, hes got loads of potential
Up N Hatem
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:45 AM
Comment #39Firstly, IMO Danny Simpson is probably the most underrated player in our squad, without his defending and 6 goal line clearances we wouldnt be in the top 5 and looking at the Champions League. Some people call for Santon at RB but if he was on that side with HBA thats just a disaster waiting to happen! We all love a full back who gets forward and is good on the ball but when you have a player like HBA in front of the defensive role of the full back is far more important.
Does nobody think Perch deserves a chance a LB today? Hes been in our top 3 performers in all of our last 5 games so think it would be very harsh if he was dropped. Plus against stoke, although shorter than Santon, id say perch is better aerially and probably a better choice!
DONYWIRL
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:50 AM
Comment #40Anyone know our points totals from previous seasons? What’s our highest?