The Newcastle squad left Newcastle Airport earlier today for Athens, and at least we now know who the players in the squad are, and it turns out that Alan has taken 19 players along for the first leg of the Europa League playoff with Atromitos FC.
Adam Campbell – likely to start in Athens
This is the 19 man Newcastle United squad that traveled to Athens Greece this morning – in alphabetical order.
Romain Amalfitano, Vurnon Anita, Gael Bigirimana, Yohan Cabaye, Adam Campbell, Papiss Cisse, Dan Gosling, Jonas Gutierrez, Steve Harper, Tim Krul, Sylvain Marveaux, Gabriel Obertan, James Perch, Davide Santon, Danny Simpson, James Tavernier, Ryan Taylor, Steven Taylor, Mike Williamson
So now we know who was on the plane the next thing to do is to work out what the starting eleven will be.
The Ameobi bothers are both injured and so is Demba Ba, Cheick Tiote and Shane Ferguson, which explains why they are not on the plane and Ben Arfa is suspended for Newcastle first thee Europa League games, which is why he’s not on the plane.
And Fabricio Coloccini did not travel so we would assume he will be fit for the game on Saturday at Chelsea, and it’s interesting that Tim Krul and Steve Harper made the trip, but Rob Elliot didn’t.
We had suggested the following as the possible starting eleven on Thursday night earlier today:
Harper
Tavernier Williamson Perch Santon
Taylor (R) Bigirimana Gosling Marveaux
Demba Ba Vuckic
But Demba Ba will not play and neither will Vuckic, because they are injured, so with Ba, Ameobi and Vuckic all injured, we have to think that Adam Campbell will get a chance to start up front with Papiss Cisse, as the only two recognized strikers in the party.
So given that, here another shot at the starting eleven for tomorrow – how about:
Harper
Tavernier Williamson Perch Taylor(R)
Obertan (Amalfitano) Bigirimana Gosling Marveaux
Cisse Campbell
That’s the best we can do, but it will put Cisse at risk for Saturday, unless Shola is fit, but we don’t know how serious his injury is.
And we have to think that Amalfitano will get some playing time tomorrow, and may even get a starting position on that right wing.
It’s a really tough decision for Alan Pardew to make, and we would think an almost completely changed starting eleven would work best, and put Newcastle in good shape for the Chelsea game less than 48 hours later, while still possibly getting the win tomorrow night, but the manager said yesterday he will not do that.
And Pardew will have some experienced players like Cabaye, Gutierrez and Anita on the bench in case Newcastle need to come back, if they go behind in the game.
What team would you start tomorrow night?
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359 comments so far
BelfastMagpie87
Aug 22, 2012 at 10:35 PM
Comment #321Real Madrid v Barca 2moro nyt.
I enjoy that game for sure. 🙂
toonLYF
Aug 22, 2012 at 10:37 PM
Comment #322hoppernufc – it’ll be updated by tomorrow mate, that happens alot
Toon Tang
Aug 22, 2012 at 10:39 PM
Comment #323haha aye civilized is the way forward mate. I think your earlier post of Bilbao beating manure doesn’t really tell us much as the ‘big four’ here in the prem have been on the receiving end of an occasional pounding to the lower teams.
but like was said before, i suppose it is purely personal what you prefer and how you define the best league.
toonLYF
Aug 22, 2012 at 10:39 PM
Comment #324i’ve got a link to download the full Newcastle v Tottenham match if anyone wants it?
ToonDownSouth
Aug 22, 2012 at 10:39 PM
Comment #325Belfast
Prediction?
Toon Tang
Aug 22, 2012 at 10:40 PM
Comment #326ps. is it just me or have sunderland been ripped of again?
BelfastMagpie87
Aug 22, 2012 at 10:42 PM
Comment #327Barca 2 -1.
Tho I always support Madrid in them games lol
ToonDownSouth
Aug 22, 2012 at 10:42 PM
Comment #328Toon Tang
I know, of course – I’m not suggesting that means that Bilbao are the better team 😀
It’s just that I don’t think that the ‘anyone cabeat anyone in the PL’ really holds up – every team in La Liga is capable of putting in fantastic performances on their day, as shown in those two legs.
ToonDownSouth
Aug 22, 2012 at 10:45 PM
Comment #329Belfast
Me too – it’s a Mourinho thing haha. It’s at the Nou Camp tomorrow, so I think Real could be on the end of a hiding. Pepe is injured, so they’re going to have Albiol & Ramos at CB – not too solid! Real looked pretty out of shape at the weekend too.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Aug 22, 2012 at 10:46 PM
Comment #330Hola! How we doing lads and lasses?
BelfastMagpie87
Aug 22, 2012 at 10:50 PM
Comment #331It’s not the same without Pepe like Haha
Yea It’s a Mourinho thing.
Plus I got bored of everybody kissing Barcelona’s ass a long time ago lol.
hattambenarfa
Aug 22, 2012 at 10:50 PM
Comment #332Guys worrying news have on God authority that city and united want colo
hattambenarfa
Aug 22, 2012 at 10:51 PM
Comment #333Guys worrying news have on Good authority that city and united want Colo. At least should get good price if there is a bidding war
Munster Mag
Aug 22, 2012 at 10:51 PM
Comment #334Yes, I can confirm that Sunderland have been ripped off . What a signing 🙂
Ian Toon, you and others seem incapable of understanding where I am coming from. I haven’t asked Ashley to jeopardise anything by buying overpriced players, as you seemed to suggest on a previous thread. I dont care whether we are ahead of our so called 5 yr plan or not. I think we should keep building the team with appropriate signings – like Anita – for other positions. Maybe 3 players, maybe 2 , spending 10-15 mill . Nothing OTT in that chaps. If we dont buy, its not the end of the world, but i dont see why we should wait when we have the potential to take a significant step forward this season. I’m as happy as anyone with our progress, and our brilliant scouting. I just feel we can progress again, without losing the run of ourselves.
ToonDownSouth
Aug 22, 2012 at 10:53 PM
Comment #335hattam
Please stop coming on here every evening with a different rumour…
Mister Tuff
Aug 22, 2012 at 10:57 PM
Comment #336Just watched the compilation video of Ben Arfa @319 -this guy is awesome and looks hungry -he makes other decent players look like mugs.
Magpies-till-d3ath
Aug 22, 2012 at 10:59 PM
Comment #337Alanrichie- It really does piss me off the way that everybody is talking about such a diving little bit like Hazard, and no-one is talking about King Arfa! I fancy him to hit double figures this season!! 🙂
hattambenarfa
Aug 22, 2012 at 10:59 PM
Comment #338Sorry tds its too easy,
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Aug 22, 2012 at 11:00 PM
Comment #339Munster….I don’t think it’s where you’re coming from in particular, some others don’t make their point as well as you. People keep saying things like “just pay the asking price”, “it’s only £1-2m more”. That is the attitude I don’t agree with. Of course improved players would be a good thing, in fact a great thing. I get the impression from a lot of people that they look at the board and think they value a player then just knock a large percentage off. Don’t get me wrong, I know they look around and are looking for the “affordable options”, but it’s doing us well. People saying if we don’t strengthen this window it would be criminal is a tad extreme, don’t you think?
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Aug 22, 2012 at 11:01 PM
Comment #340Munster…Also, Best signing of the window so far 😉
bri h
Aug 22, 2012 at 11:18 PM
Comment #341liverpool are slamming our 12m offer for carrol saying basicly were taking the piss trying to get a 35m player on the cheap.what they dont realise is it was 18 month ago we were taking the piss when we aske for 35m ,and the fools paid it .liverfools staff make me cry with laughter.
Munster Mag
Aug 22, 2012 at 11:24 PM
Comment #342I agree Ibiza, not criminal at all – although potentially a chance lost. We may sell one or two of our top players next summer ( we may not aswell ) , but lets get one or two more good players in to add to what we have. Look at how thin we are in certain positions – we still havent strengthened at centre half – despite our scouting system. I have long held the opinion that Ashley buys in a number of ways:
1. Bigi – Young, great potential – get him . ( Makes sense )
2. Cabaye – or a talented player going off contract – costs about 5 mill instead of (say ) 8 mill …..Get him Derek! ( I’ve no issue with that )
3. AN Other (Debuchy ? ) – Player in mid contract – aged about 26 ( getting old ) …..worth about say 8 mill sterling …Our approach – offer £3mill , and drag the arse out of it for ages, rather than paying up early with a reasoned offer and getting the guy in and settled on Tyneside.
4. Cisse – was worth 13 mill – price drops – we smell value – get him Derek! In other words, the discount drives the purchase, rather than the value of the player to the team. This may be unfair but i wonder if we would have purchased Cisse had he costs 1 mill more – ie not as big a discount….
These arent major criticisms, just my interpretation of how we act.
I’d like us to buy a couple more players and pay fair money if thats what it takes ( say 2 x 7 mill ) . I’m still hopeful it will happen, but logic suggests that if we really wanted them, we could have acted before now. Not investing would not be criminal, but a possible opportunity wasted, to build while we have momentum.
peterrwrightt
Aug 22, 2012 at 11:27 PM
Comment #343Steven Fletcher £12m
Papiss Cisse £9m
Andy Carroll £35m
Fernando Torres £50m
i love it! lol!
Brutooon
Aug 22, 2012 at 11:27 PM
Comment #3441) we only left with one proven striker – cisse and i doubt he will play the whole 90 mins
2) adam campbell will be given a sub role
peterrwrightt
Aug 22, 2012 at 11:30 PM
Comment #345wait! i have more!
Conor Wickham £13m
Darren Bent £20m
any others lads?
ToonDownSouth
Aug 22, 2012 at 11:30 PM
Comment #346It’s been amazing watching Hatem visibly improve as a player over the last 7 or 8 months.
His acceleration seems to improve with every game – and considering his size, he can hold players off like Grant Holt can!
peterrwrightt
Aug 22, 2012 at 11:31 PM
Comment #347Cisse first half, if scores 1/2 goals and team winning, Campbell second half, 45 minute run out.
DG MAGPIE
Aug 22, 2012 at 11:35 PM
Comment #348Can anyone tell me what channel we are on tomorrow and next thurs?
Do we have a scheduled channel for the whole europa campaign?
ToonDownSouth
Aug 22, 2012 at 11:35 PM
Comment #349toonLYF
If you’re still around, I’d appreciate the link mate – I was downloading, but it’s hit a dead end at 24% ;(
peterrwrightt
Aug 22, 2012 at 11:47 PM
Comment #350DG MAGPIE
don’t think we’re on tv untill group stage, if we get to groups its channel 5 every game!
peterrwrightt
Aug 22, 2012 at 11:51 PM
Comment #351sorrry mate just checked, we’re on Premier Sports tomorrow, but its £9.99 a month so i’ll be watching on internet 🙂
beefman13
Aug 22, 2012 at 11:58 PM
Comment #352alanrichie, benny is getting a pure joy to watch, fabulous technique, worth the entrance money alone, looking forward to him and anita pinging it around in the middle and creating havoc, anita can sit deep but he is a terrific link up player and has plenty of pace as well, my opinion is that benny and anita are the two most technically gifted players in our team, think they are going to be massive for us this season god willing (please)
beefman13
Aug 23, 2012 at 12:02 AM
Comment #353Tough game tomorrow night they are no pushovers, they have a very savvy manager, our defence will have to stand up to be counted,williamson needs to be on his 100 per cent game.
ToonXI
Aug 23, 2012 at 3:03 AM
Comment #354People saying we should start with Campbell upfront are being a bit brave if you ask me, The lad has only played a couple mins of football with the first team and that was a friendly not Europe.
Willo
Aug 23, 2012 at 3:24 AM
Comment #355This squad just shows how we desperately need another talented and senior striker. I’m all for allowing the kids to get us through Europe and get some experience along the way but I think Campbell is too young to start. Get a new striker and let Adam have a 30 minute run out to get the inevitable jitters out.
Willo
Aug 23, 2012 at 3:27 AM
Comment #356Here’s hoping the lad scores though because he does look to be a talent in the making. On other points,where is Curtis Good and why is Krul even travelling?
toontillidie
Aug 23, 2012 at 10:49 AM
Comment #357@77 The Game is Live on Premiersports on Sky at 6pm
Cmon The TOON!!!!!!!!!!
obatoyou
Aug 23, 2012 at 12:48 PM
Comment #358Do u think well win 2nite?
BrightonMag
Aug 23, 2012 at 1:14 PM
Comment #359Well, I for one have been looking forward to seeing this lad in action, haven’t managed to see him at all yet. Very excited to see how he copes with senior football