Newcastle have brought back James Perch in the starting line-up for the game today against Manchester City at St. James’ Park.
But unfortunately it looks like that hamstring injury to Hatem Ben Arfa has kept his comeback short-lived, and the French Internationals will be sorely missed today against the Premier League Champions.
The team shows just that one change from the starting line-up at Craven Cottage on Monday night, and Perch for Ben Arfa shows how much creativity we have lost in the side today.
As expected Newcastle will play in a 4-3-3 lineup with Perch in midfield and Ba, Cisse and Gutierrez up front – and Ben Arfa doesn’t even make the bench.
The Ameobi brothers are both on the bench and could see some action in the second half.
This is another vital but tough game for Newcastle, and our players will have to shine if we are to get anything at all out of this game today.
Howay The Lads!!
Teams:
Newcastle United (4-3-3): Tim Krul; Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini (c), Davide Santon; James Perch, Cheick Tiote, Vurnon Anita; Papiss Cisse, Demba Ba, Jonas Gutierrez
Substitutes: Rob Elliot, James Tavernier, Shane Ferguson, Gael Bigirimana, Sylvain Marveaux, Sammy Ameobi, Shola Ameobi
Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Joe Hart; Pablo Zabaleta, Kolo Toure, Matija Nastasic, Gael Clichy; Javi Garcia, Yaya Toure; Samir Nasri, Sergio Aguero, David Silva; Carlos Tevez
Referee: Andre Marriner (West Midlands)
406 comments so far
Oleg G
Dec 15, 2012 at 3:04 PM
Comment #401Slank // Dec 15, 2012 at 3:01 PM
So true.!
HBA does the same, he is ready to pass, but there are so many times when there is no one to pass to. So yes, these players are smart enough not just to give away the ball, but they wait. Sometimes waiting cause them to lose the ball, but that is the fault of their teammates who are not giving passing options.
JP...from The Rock
Dec 15, 2012 at 3:04 PM
Comment #402Slank – I have to disagree with you there. Many times Tiote has had players in open space and he keeps turning and turning instead of one turn and a pass. He tries too hard to play the perfect pass when he should be keeping it simple.
Ketsbaia9
Dec 15, 2012 at 3:18 PM
Comment #403Yeah, Marveaux should always be in the first team. I don’t understand why Pardew plays with 3 defensive midfielder’s. Nobody was making runs through the middle and creating chances.
This is my starting line-up for the next match:
Krul
Santon Coloccini Perch Gutierrez
Tiote Anita
Ben Arfa Marveaux Someone
Ba
West Lancs Geordie
Dec 15, 2012 at 4:21 PM
Comment #404We are poles apart. Only looked like Colo, Anita, Tiote, Ba & Krul good enough. In every other department we were completely outclassed. Aguero & Tevez too quick for Willo & Simmo. Accept it Pards Ba & Cisse cant play together. Gutierez – he fell over, he fell over & over & over again. No creativity without Bennie & Yohan but is Bennie going to be like Saylor missing for more than half the season through constant injury problems. Ashley will probably sell Ba Tiote or Krul to raise funds but we need strong battlers now with bit of creativity. A class FB & CB also imperative. If he is to perservere with front two must get someone who can cross balls from byline. Fergie is about the best of a bad bunch at present. Bottom 3 by January beckons. Last place drop position between Mackems, Latics, Villa , Saints & US. QPR a mega game. Vernun Anita best player today by a country mile
TheToonKing
Dec 26, 2012 at 4:58 PM
Comment #405I’m gutted….. we didn’t deserve to loose this.. we were good.
And Anita seems like he’s out for the season….
Everything is going against us at the moment.
TheToonKing
Dec 26, 2012 at 5:03 PM
Comment #406The only player that was killing me today is Williamson…. that guy will be the end of me… he’s like a tugboat in kenu race.
Krul is a better fotballer then he is. I really hope we get a CB in January.