We were hoping it would be sooner, but it could also have been much worse, so the news today that Danny Simpson will be out three to four weeks with his hamstring problem is not too bad.
Danny Simpson – in action against Atromitos
Simpson picked up a hamstring problem during last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Aston Villa, but the good thing is he came off immediately, and therefore didn’t make things even worse.
We think that’s what happened to Cheick Tiote in that first game, when he was all ready to come off after just 10 minutes, with Vurnon Anita all ready to come on, but Cheick stayed on the field – and hasn’t played since. đ
Simpson, the former Manchester United player had scans on the injury this week, but is hoping he could be back in a short three weeks time, as he had this to say on the Newcastle web-site today:
“It’s a lot better than I first thought.” “I have never had a hamstring problem before. I just felt something bad and I knew straight away I would have to come off.”
“I will just have to see how it is at the start of next week and take it from there, but hopefully I won’t miss too many games.” Â “But the scan results came back on Wednesday and it is hopefully three weeks, maybe four maximum.”
“It depends on each person, their body and how quickly they recover, but it’s a lot better than what we first thought.” Â “Already I’m walking easier than I was on Sunday, so that’s a good sign.”
“Injuries are part and parcel of being a footballer, but I’m not used to it – I haven’t had many injuries.” Â “For a long time, I haven’t really had any issues in that area. It’s just one of those things, though.”
“With there not being a game for two weeks, if there is a time to have a little niggle then it’s probably now.” Â “I will just have to see how it is at the start of next week and take it from there, but hopefully I won’t miss too many games.”
We’re also hoping that Fabricio Coloccini is fit when he returns from his trip to Argentina, and at the moment he is out injured with a muscle strain in his right leg.
Newcastle do not have too much cover across the back four, and it would be a bit of a calamity if we were to lose both Colo and Danny Simpson at the same time – that’s half our first choice back four would be out.
We have hopes that Coloccini will not play in the Argentina game next Tuesday night against Peru, and then he should have a decent chance of being fit for the important Everton game.
Ans as Danny says above,  he may only miss only a few games because of the International break – maybe a couple of games  at most?
And a short note to Danny – please sign that new contract.
Comments welcome.
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65 comments so far
catchy in norway
Sep 6, 2012 at 8:13 PM
Comment #1Ruddy Marveaux-lous
last season was a fluke, which will be proved this year,
i guess my reason for thinking we will not do it again or better it, is pardew, its simple, he is a nice guy, but he is not a good manager,
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Sep 6, 2012 at 8:16 PM
Comment #2Super Magpie
I think we have the capabilities of finishing above Spurs this season, they are very vulnerable at the back, Kaboul is out for 4 months, Gallas is ancient, King has retired, which only leaves Vertonghen and Caulker as the other CBs. So we are vastly superior to them in that department.
They do have a pretty good midfield but up front they are pretty light, as are we, but I think we have a better manager and spirit. Whether we can finish above Arsenal remains to be seen but to me Arsenal are the only team between us and top 4.
Big Pappa Cissé
Sep 6, 2012 at 8:16 PM
Comment #3Its ok we have Debuch……. oh wait we never signed him đ
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Sep 6, 2012 at 8:17 PM
Comment #4Catchy
I cannot agree with you, he is double Manager of the Year. He has got the best out of players who didnât cut it beforehand or those with suspect attitudes so he clearly is doing something right.
Like I said, perhaps it is your perception that needs to be questioned, and not the team and certainly not the manager
catchy in norway
Sep 6, 2012 at 8:19 PM
Comment #5ruddy,,
we will see
im off
have a great night everyone
89Norcal
Sep 6, 2012 at 8:21 PM
Comment #6Christ what’s with all the damn injuries? I guess Perch will be learning a new fullback role again!
@Ruddy, I’ve been contemplating that too. Spurs look weak defensively but they do still have Defoe, they’ve signed Adebayor permanently, and now they have Dempsey and we all remember what he did to us last season. They are a potent attack and should beat most clubs below them, or at least enough to finish above us.
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Sep 6, 2012 at 8:26 PM
Comment #789Norcal
If that Spurs defense suffered anymore injuries they would be in total crisis mode, yet some on here assume that other clubs don’t suffer from injuries and that we’re doomed simply because Colo has a bit of a strain and Raylor is injured.
Adebayor is very hit and miss, he was excellent last season but he has very questionable temperament and I wouldn’t bet against AVB rubbing him up the wrong way. Dempsey may not take the Spurs way as immediately as others think and I know he destroyed us on his own but I am yet to be convinced by him.
Dembele for 15 million? Seriously, what were they smoking? As fair as I am concerned 5th is likely, 4th is achievable.
Transfer Sage
Sep 6, 2012 at 8:28 PM
Comment #8Ruddy and catchy
I think you are both right to some extent.
I wouldn’t say last year was a fluke but we won games with hard work, not as teams around us did by blowing sides away.
We never got more than 3 goals in a game which is a worry as you usually get the odd 4/5 goal result in your favour.
I think pardew is a good manager but overly defensive. I think we aren’t taking full advantage of our attacking options and worry too much about winning 1-0 and not 3-0.
As soon as we get ahead we almost immediately drop off and invite pressure on ourselves. I think this tactic will come from pardew and not be a natural reaction of our players.
I found our best results came away as we hit hard on the counter attack like west brom but at home we didn’t look too troubled but didn’t often threaten enough.
If pardew attacked more and backed the players as I think he should we would see a massive improvement. Just like those 6 games we went 433 and dominated end of last year.
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Sep 6, 2012 at 8:28 PM
Comment #9*As far as I am concerned….
MagpiesFlyHigh
Sep 6, 2012 at 8:29 PM
Comment #10catchy
Do you really support the Toon ?
I’m with Ruddy on this one.
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Sep 6, 2012 at 8:30 PM
Comment #11Right things seemed to have quietened down, some simply saw fit to try and point out flaws in others and contribute NOTHING in the way of footballing conversation, but I digress, and there has been rational and reasoned debate.
Is this really the NUFC blog? đ
Night all đ
Transfer Sage
Sep 6, 2012 at 8:32 PM
Comment #12Ruddy
Adebeyor has always been poor after signing his new contract. He seems to feel settled and be happy with it then not be as motivated.
BelfastMagpie
Sep 6, 2012 at 8:34 PM
Comment #13Catchy I never take you seriously like.
If your not slagging of Obertan,your slagging of Pardew.
Your a Right little rain cloud of doom.
Super Magpie
Sep 6, 2012 at 8:37 PM
Comment #14Ruddy
I see arsenal getting 4th quite easily because of the fact wenger knows what to do to get it.
Spurs have a good team, but AVB has tried to overhaul the squad too soon, and failing. Leaving unwanted and unhappy players who will not want to play under him. And he doesn’t look like a motivating this of person.
Everton have a very good team, but a small squad. They don’t have European football though so could challenge.
I honestly see Liverpool finishing in the bottom half this year. It won’t be what they want buy they need to rebuild and let rodgers input the style he wants them to play. It will pay off for them in the long term.
BelfastMagpie
Sep 6, 2012 at 8:37 PM
Comment #15Finishing 5th over 38 games is not a fluke.
Super Magpie
Sep 6, 2012 at 8:39 PM
Comment #16I swear to God…
This phone is really annoying me now.
I copy my last post and it pastes the one before.
Super Magpie
Sep 6, 2012 at 8:41 PM
Comment #17Ruddy
Very true We forget spurs also have Europa league football and in a tougher group too. They have Dawson too but is unwanted so wonât play much.
They have two good strikers in Adebayor and Defoe, but are pushing 30 and Defoeâs pace will start to fade.
Like I said 5-7 is the most realistic, but we could get 4th IF we strengthen in January. I Donât think this squad can cope with 50+ games and finish 4th
MagpiesFlyHigh
Sep 6, 2012 at 8:55 PM
Comment #18supermag
That’s about right… 5th-7th… If Gooners don’t get their strike rate up we may be able to compete with them… Not sure if Adebayor will drop off the pace, but I think we are pretty much a match for Spuds.
puretoon
Sep 6, 2012 at 8:58 PM
Comment #19No Edd, we don’t want Simmo to sign a new contract thank you. He’s a greedy individual who’s been offered ÂŁ25k by all accounts, but wants more-he’s not worth it-simples!
To be honest, seeing as we didn’t sign Debuchy, I’d rather have one of the young ones in as we haven’t got Raylor or Perch now either. The longer Simmo is out the better as he’s crap!
I’ve noticed too that it seems not one of the OP’s are too bothered by him either as he’s not been mentioned at all
josh
Sep 6, 2012 at 9:03 PM
Comment #20Good one puretoon. Send the minimal experienced lads to do a job of an experienced premier league defender that is not “crap” I have no idea where this bollocks comes from sometimes. Are people bred with fermented vegetables?
Super Magpie
Sep 6, 2012 at 9:03 PM
Comment #21Arsenal create lots of chances and will score goals. Their defence has improved too. I think they will get 4th for many reasons.
Marty-Toon
Sep 6, 2012 at 9:04 PM
Comment #22Stoke fans saying theyre delighted to have signed a striker that can get them 15 goals a season in Micky Owen…..yeah you must be takin the Micky like
Marty-Toon
Sep 6, 2012 at 9:06 PM
Comment #23Josh,didn’t you know that our young defenders could walk into any premier league team ?lol
These young lads could get crushed by being thrown in the deep end too soon
Super Magpie
Sep 6, 2012 at 9:08 PM
Comment #24I think footballers who turn down improved contracts because teammates earn more are just totally greedy. Why would they need more money.
We have Sky Sports to blame for wages today
Super Magpie
Sep 6, 2012 at 9:11 PM
Comment #25Marty
Are you sure they didnt mean 15 games?
Off the bench? đ
josh
Sep 6, 2012 at 9:12 PM
Comment #26My point exactly Marty. People sitting in their arm chairs with a negative opinion piss me right off. What justification can you possibly have for declaring that sort of bullshit like you are better than the man beingpaid to manage the team other than the fact that their a total Johnson?
Dannyo
Sep 6, 2012 at 9:13 PM
Comment #27So. if Tavernier is the one to replace him in the lineup, and does well, will he keep his spot?
Transfer Sage
Sep 6, 2012 at 9:15 PM
Comment #28Super
Arsenal create but never seem to finish.
Van persie dug them Out a lot with special goals a lot last year.
Can their new boys do that?
Colo-Sus
Sep 6, 2012 at 9:16 PM
Comment #29You know that feeling when you need a Centre back, your manager says you need a centre back and your owner asks your manager when we are getting a centre back…then you have 3 months to buy one….then your best one gets injured and you also have two other defenders out injured.,….yeah that
Transfer Sage
Sep 6, 2012 at 9:17 PM
Comment #30Josh
Football would be dull if we didn’t disagree with the manager sometimes.
Some managers give youngsters a go, others are scared to do it.
Playing the youngsters doesn’t make them ready but not playing them doesn’t mean they aren’t ready either.
MagpiesFlyHigh
Sep 6, 2012 at 9:18 PM
Comment #31dannyo
Tav did an interview saying he was just waiting for his chance so let’s hope he comes good pdq… better than in Greece anyway…that was a bit underwhelming as we know he’s better than that.
bollance
Sep 6, 2012 at 9:18 PM
Comment #32Dannyo
Good question but think Anita will fill in until Simmo back. But we definitely need competion in midfield. Cabaye form up and down last season (remember after xmas before we went on the winning run?). He has not exactly continued the form for France, understandably though.
Super Magpie
Sep 6, 2012 at 9:19 PM
Comment #33Transfer Sage
Who knows?
Giroud was top score in Ligue 1 last season, but can’t seem to even a buy a goal atm.
Cazorla looks a tremendous player, Podolski has been hit and miss so far.
I think they’ll be fine
MagpiesFlyHigh
Sep 6, 2012 at 9:20 PM
Comment #34Interesting point about Yo as if he plays badly then we do too. Def need more options for midfield general.
Who’d you bring on Bollance ?
bollance
Sep 6, 2012 at 9:21 PM
Comment #35it was very late in the day Tav signed the new deal. Maybe he was assured we would not sign another specialist right back?
We have lots of players who can play right back. Most are average. Did not see Villa game but is Anita the pick of the bunch? or do people think simmo is number 1?
Transfer Sage
Sep 6, 2012 at 9:24 PM
Comment #36Super
I’m sure they will be fine.
Just not sure they have that bit of magic like van persie to turn the game when they need a goal.
Van persie scored special volleys and good shots from outside the box.
I think giroud and podolski will get the tap ins and standar goals he got just not sure if they have that bit of magic.
bollance
Sep 6, 2012 at 9:26 PM
Comment #37MFH
I picked up last season Cabaye was awful when Guthrie was playing well but pardew always put cabaye ahead of Guthrie (maybe because we knew Guthrie would leave at end of season). Can anyone remember QPR. Cabaye awful then got injured, stretchered off but fine next match?
The popular answer to your question would be to go 4-3-3
Ba – Cisse – HBA
Gutierez – Anita – Tiote
Santon – Willo – Colo – Saylor
bollance
Sep 6, 2012 at 9:29 PM
Comment #38But.. Cabaye will come good and if he can play anywhere like for France in Euros then we will benefit massively!
toonarmydownsouth
Sep 6, 2012 at 9:33 PM
Comment #39Bollance
Tbf to anita i thought he had a blinder at RB against villa but i also think hes looked decent enough in midfield more so than a few would have you believe think he’s gonna be a big player for us
Having said that i actually think simmo was having a great start to the season so think he’ll keep the RB spot when he’s fit
jawballsaswallwell
Sep 6, 2012 at 9:39 PM
Comment #40Ed, you should be writing headlines for the Red Tops.