The game tonight against Metalist Kharkiv is the round of the last 32 in the Europa League – so if we can get through this tie and win the next two game tie, then we’ll make it through to the quarter finals stage – and that would be good.
But those are four games we still have to negotiate in Europe before that, and we expect Newcastle to be going all out tonight for a win to get us off to a good start against the Ukranian side.
And just so we remember how we did in Group D here are the finishing positions – and while we finished second top to Bordeaux – over the last three group games our squad was just a little decimated (yes – that’s an excuse).
[table “20” not found /]Metalist Kharkiv finished top of their Group K on 13 points and they were on the same number of points as Bayer Leverkusen, but won the group on head to head competition as they drew 0-0 and won 2-0 in their games against the Bundesliga side – and their goal difference was one less than that of the German club.
So they are a good side, and it’s hard to know how their winter-break will affect them tonight, and they currently in 4th place in the Ukrainian Premier League after 18 games before the break started in December.
This is what Alan Pardew said about the opposition today:
“We’re up against a new name in terms of European football – and it’s a name, I think, that’s going to stick around for a while.” “It’s a good platform for them but we don’t want to be the victims of that.”
“We’re an old name, a legendary name in some ways in competitions in Europe, and we want to keep it that way and make sure we renew our reputation.” “We were at Whitley Bay on Sunday and they played very well at a difficult venue.”
“They have a large influx of South American players who give the team a real characteristic of technique and that’s probably what we’re going to have to come up against.” “They’re very good at keeping the ball and keeping it away from us, and will probably take our tempo out of the game, so that’s their strength and on the break they’re fast.”
“So we need to be on our guard. As Juventus proved at Celtic, you have to be very clever in how you attack.”
It’s going to be a tough choice for the starting eleven tonight for Alan Pardew, as he supposedly will try to give some players a game – but it looks like he will simply go for his strongest side available for this game.
This could be the starting eleven tonight with the substitutes:
Krul
Santon Coloccini Yanga-Mbiwa Haidara
Anita Cabaye Sissoko Marveaux
Cisse Ameobi (Sh)
Subs: Harper Perch Williamson Bigirimana Ferguson Obertan Campbell
What team would you field tonight?
We expect 18 year-old Adam Campbell to be on the bench tonight – and who knows the North Shields youngster may get his second first team appearance tonight – and it would be great if he gets on in the second half.
We thought Mike Williamson would get a start tonight – but it doesn’t seem like he will – so we expect captain Fabricio Coloccini to start this game and play alongside Yanga-Mbiwa who is making his starting debut for the side.
It will also be important for our lads to keep a clean sheet tonight, because of the away goals rule in European competition.
And the result of our poll on the outcome of the game is that over 90% of fans expect us to win this game, so anything else but a win will be extremely disappointing and will put doubts on whether we can get through.
We don’t think the starting eleven in the Ukraine next week will not include any players who will start the important home league game against Southampton on the following Sunday.
We need a good win tonight, and that will help the team in pushing on for the season – both in Europe and in the Premier League.
Howay The Lads!!
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153 comments so far
Markaccus
Feb 14, 2013 at 6:45 PM
Comment #121I went up to bath the bairn, and I come down to see flibberfool losing. I’m getting a good feeling about tonight :p
Also, Jack Butler, that is the funniest valentine rhyme since my fave… Roses are red, violets are blue, I’ve got Alzheimers, cheese on toast.
obatoyou
Feb 14, 2013 at 6:46 PM
Comment #122Hey, does anyone know a website we can watch the game? I’ll even pay for it
I have Setanta, but that is showing Tottenham v Lyon
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Feb 14, 2013 at 6:46 PM
Comment #123Rainrix…Can’t they do it 15 minutes early…just to save my refresh button?
Mark and JB…My personaly fav is:
Roses are red
Violets are blue
I have a gun
Now get in the van.
Love, love, love.
Simon…A goal scoring CB? Why would we want one of those?
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Feb 14, 2013 at 6:47 PM
Comment #124Oba…
http://www.footballstreaming.info/streams/todays-links/
Enjoy…hopefully
rainrix
Feb 14, 2013 at 6:48 PM
Comment #125Zenits pitch is horrendous thank god for british turfmanship 😉 zenit do look good mainly down to hulk and that dude with the afro. At least the bindippers are out regardless what the commentators are saying 😉
JackButler
Feb 14, 2013 at 6:49 PM
Comment #126So funny had to post it twice 😀
Roses are red
Violets are glorious
Don’t try and surprise Oscar Pistorious!!!!!
rainrix
Feb 14, 2013 at 6:50 PM
Comment #127Ibiza…. Keep hammering f5 bro it’ll come 🙂
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Feb 14, 2013 at 6:51 PM
Comment #128Rainrix…Are we still talking about the same thing? 🙂
rainrix
Feb 14, 2013 at 6:52 PM
Comment #129Jb…. Oscars broken a lot of records, now he’s got the worst valentines gift ever award 😉
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Feb 14, 2013 at 6:55 PM
Comment #130Lee Ryder ?@lee_ryder
#nufc team Krul; Yanga-Mbiwa, S.Taylor, Coloccini (c), Santon; Tiote, Cabaye; Obertan, Sissoko, Gutierrez; Cisse.
northernirishtoon
Feb 14, 2013 at 6:55 PM
Comment #131Team confirmed
@lee_ryder: #nufc team Krul; Yanga-Mbiwa, S.Taylor, Coloccini (c), Santon; Tiote, Cabaye; Obertan, Sissoko, Gutierrez; Cisse.
rainrix
Feb 14, 2013 at 6:55 PM
Comment #132Ibiza… I dont know anymore. Although i can tell you harper isnt starting as he’s just been on bbc north east :). He said again its a strong team only 10 minutes to go!
JAMSHA
Feb 14, 2013 at 6:56 PM
Comment #133is our match today????
northernirishtoon
Feb 14, 2013 at 6:56 PM
Comment #134With all the right backs we have, can’t understand mbiwa playing there assuming that’s where he is playing
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Feb 14, 2013 at 6:56 PM
Comment #135____________Krul___________
Mbiwa__Taylor__Colo__Santon
_________Tiote__Cabaye_____
___Obertan__Sissoko__Jonas__
______________Cisse_________
??
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Feb 14, 2013 at 6:58 PM
Comment #136Northern…Well Debuchy isn’t registered for the EL, Simmo if fit, has just returned. Other than that we have Perch and Tav, right?
Pretty happy with the line up to be honest.
shearerclass09
Feb 14, 2013 at 6:58 PM
Comment #137@obatyou you sure they are not on satana mate on my listings it says they are ? tottenham are on itv ,, hwtl
JackButler
Feb 14, 2013 at 6:58 PM
Comment #138No Anita, Haidara or Marveuax…………………………..Hmmmmm interesting
northernirishtoon
Feb 14, 2013 at 6:58 PM
Comment #139I would play Anita there rather than have him on the bench
Jayden
Feb 14, 2013 at 6:58 PM
Comment #140Gutted for Anita, Marv and Haidara. Maybe next week?
kevymartins
Feb 14, 2013 at 6:59 PM
Comment #141What a goal hulk scored liverpool on there way out?
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Feb 14, 2013 at 6:59 PM
Comment #142ESPN saying Mbiwa at RB. Basically as I set it out above.
rainrix
Feb 14, 2013 at 6:59 PM
Comment #143Marv and anita still cant get a game? Bizzare line up imo
Ketsbaia9
Feb 14, 2013 at 7:00 PM
Comment #144No Marveaux, Anita or Haidara in the side? Take it Mbiwa is playing at right back. His natural position is at centre back. Pardew doesn’t like Anita and Marveaux for some reason. They’ll be leaving in the summer.
Owldman
Feb 14, 2013 at 7:00 PM
Comment #145I will be at the game tonight, looking forward to the quality of the the other players we’ve brought in not too concerned about result as long as the team come throught it unscathed, feeling it might just be one of those magic SJP nights
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Feb 14, 2013 at 7:02 PM
Comment #146Someone was saying earlier they play a high line and that their defense isn’t the quickest, so that might explain Obertan starting as Gouffran is out, someone to expose that weakness. Also they’re pretty physical, so Tiote in there to show them what physical means.
Cabs and Sissoko are a no brainer. So really only Jonas for Marv or Anita. Nothing to write home about imo.
JackButler
Feb 14, 2013 at 7:04 PM
Comment #147Why does Pardew insist on playing players out of position???
Something I simply can’t understand myself
Ketsbaia9
Feb 14, 2013 at 7:05 PM
Comment #148Anita is a better player than Tiote in my opinion and Marveaux is better than Gutierrez. I’m surprised he’s started Saylor and Coloccini. Wouldn’t be surprised if Saylor got injured tonight.
mattnufc
Feb 14, 2013 at 7:05 PM
Comment #149“They’ll probably be leaving in the summer.” No, they’ll probably not.
Ketsbaia9
Feb 14, 2013 at 7:05 PM
Comment #150Obertan instead of Marveaux?. Pardew is mad.
obatoyou
Feb 14, 2013 at 7:11 PM
Comment #151Thanks Ibiza for the link~
mattnufc
Feb 14, 2013 at 7:16 PM
Comment #152Kets, Marveaux has never played well on the wing. At least Obertan has shown some sort of competency in European games. And the opposition are in their winter break so playing someone with huge pace makes sense, so yes Kets Obertan for Marveaux.
TorqToon
Feb 14, 2013 at 7:18 PM
Comment #153Kets – can you not see the benefit of playing Obertan with his pace against a Metalist side who keep a high line?
Also Yanga has played many times at RB so can play there. Althought I would prefer him at centre half.