It’s an important Premier League game tomorrow, and in our view much more important than our last two games in the Europa League, although the lads looked great in both of those games, and we are now through to the round of the last 16 with an excellent chance of getting through to the quarter final stage, when we play Russian Premier League club Anzhi Makhachkala in the next round next month.
And that would be the first time we have reached the last eight in a European competition since the great Bobby Robson was our manager back in 2004, when we were beaten by Marseilles in the semi-finals by two Didier Drogba goals, and it was then called the UEFA Cup.
Tomorrow’s game against Southampton is very important and in today’s games QPR, Aston Villa and Reading have been beaten, along with Sunderland, so a win tomorrow could take us up to 14th position and 6 points off the drop zone – and 7 points if you take into account goal difference.
Alan Pardew has already said he really wants to win this game, after Newcastle’s rather pathetic display at St. Mary’s, when the Saints beat us 2-0 and the score-line could have been a lot worse on the day.
But Newcastle are now a different side from the side that lost on 25th November (my birthday as it happens), and we should give a much better account of yourselves tomorrow – we must give a much better account of ourselves tomorrow.
And the fact that it is French Day at St. James’ Park should do nothing but help the cause, and hopefully it will be a sell-out crowd at St. James’ Park that will only help Newcastle get the win we really need.
Tim Krul has an injured ankle and will definitely not play in this game, but Rob Elliot gets a well deserved league start – his very first in the Premier League – as Tim’s replacement in goal.
And even with the game last Thursday night in the Ukraine, Alan Pardew will still be able to bring in fresh faces for the game tomorrow, and we expect only four players to start who started in the Ukraine on Thursday night – Coloccini, Cabaye, Sissoko and Cisse, and the players coming in tomorrow are very good and will now know their starting places are under pressure.
We expect Alan to filed the following strong starting eleven – shown in a 4-3-3 formation:
Elliot
Debuchy Coloccini (c) Taylor(S) Santon
Tiote Cabaye Gutierrez
Gouffran Cisse Sissoko
Subs: Harper Yanga-Mbiwa Haidara Anita Marveaux Obertan Ameobi (Sh)
A number of players could be selected for the subs bench tomorrow, but that is a very strong bench for Newcastle – which does not include Mike Williamson or Danny Simpson – who had an excellent game against Metalist.
In our poll at the moment a huge 84% expect Newcastle to win this game – and it’s another chance for the lads to show how good a team we now have, after the influx of five superb French players last month in the transfer window.
And since we have done so badly in the league from the start of November through the middle of January – we must try to win as many games as possible to get up that league table and finish in a reasonable position by May.
Alan Pardew will make each and every player aware that this is a game we must go all out to win tomorrow – against the club that sacked the Newcastle manager a short 30 months ago – and if we play as well as we have in our last five games that’s a very good possibility.
Let us know how you think the game will go tomorrow.
Howay The Lads!!
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34 comments so far
~ Phoenix Warrior Perch~
Feb 23, 2013 at 11:52 PM
Comment #1With all our injuries etc, this is the team I’d like to see put out tonight
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Elliot~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~Debuchy~~Saylor/Mbiwa~~Colo/Mbiwa~~Santon~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Perch~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~Cabaye~~~~~~~~Sissoko~~~~~~~~~~~
~Jonas~~~~~~~~~~~~Goofy~~~~~~~~Marv/Obertan
Jail for Ashley
Feb 23, 2013 at 11:53 PM
Comment #2@1,
What a waste !
~ Phoenix Warrior Perch~
Feb 23, 2013 at 11:54 PM
Comment #3@2
Huh?
Manx Magpie
Feb 23, 2013 at 11:56 PM
Comment #4anyone know how many tickets a member will be able to buy for the Sunderland game?
Graeme
Feb 23, 2013 at 11:58 PM
Comment #5@1 – what injuries? Pardeaux has almost a full strength squad to pick from. Of our normal line-up, only Krull is cream crackered!!
We should win tomorrow, without any doubt; I’m going for a 2-0
~ Phoenix Warrior Perch~
Feb 23, 2013 at 11:59 PM
Comment #6You know what I mean… players Injured/ Not fit to make the team etc etc.
Jail for Ashley
Feb 24, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Comment #7Manx,
Not sure actually but it will be very difficult to get two together especially after that season ticket deal they done.
t00ntime
Feb 24, 2013 at 12:04 AM
Comment #8i think its a waste cause jfa loves to put a ‘to good for ashley’ joke as the first comment 😛
I still havent lost hope in cisse so i would just put the standard team out
————–elliot—————
debuch—Staylor–colo—santon
———-cabaye-tiote———-
-Jonas——-sissoko——-gouff
—————cisse————–
If mbiwa was to come in tbh I wud rather him come in for colo, since Staylor is back he seems to be the better player every game. VS spurs colo made more mistakes and was probably to blame for both goals. (taylor did make a mistake for the 2nd tho)
Jail for Ashley
Feb 24, 2013 at 12:04 AM
Comment #9PWP,
You spoiled a very good (imo) what’s too good for Ashley by reposting your injury selected team selection.
BIGPEAOVTHEWEAB
Feb 24, 2013 at 12:48 AM
Comment #1025th my birthday 2 ED
Jail for Ashley
Feb 24, 2013 at 12:53 AM
Comment #11BIGPOOOTW,
That means you wil get a SPECIAL e mail, I think.
AmericanGeordie
Feb 24, 2013 at 1:15 AM
Comment #12t00ntime, that’s the team. Howay the lads!
jimmzy
Feb 24, 2013 at 1:26 AM
Comment #13although it seems a almost certainty that we will win tomorrow, if you get caught up it the overwelming optimism from every toon fan around, we shouldn’t underestimate the saints. Attack minded team and we may be a bit leggy from Europe.
Sayin that AWTL anyone think a cheeky 3-5-1-1 would give us some real attacking flair and potential..
Elliot
Taylor Colo M’Biwa
Debuchy Tiote Santon
Cabaye Sissoko
Gouffran
Cisse
thoughts……
jimmzy
Feb 24, 2013 at 1:31 AM
Comment #14———————Elliot———————
——–Taylor —–Colo—— M’Biwa—–
Debuchy———-Tiote ————-Santon
———–Cabaye———-Sissoko———-
——————-Gouffran——————-
———————Cisse———————
well that was annoying
NobbyNolano
Feb 24, 2013 at 1:40 AM
Comment #15I’m confident we can get something but this Southampton side is no pushover. They outplayed Man U at Old Trafford, beat City and turned us over. Under their new manager they seem a different team altogether as well. If we’re cautious and don’t underestimate them I think 3 points is achievable but not as easy as many are expecting!
http://www.theyoungernolan.blogspot.co.uk
Jail for Ashley
Feb 24, 2013 at 2:24 AM
Comment #16Ffs man, everybody it’s going to be buzzing in there today, the place will be absolutely bouncing, lads meeting up at ten o clock for the game to get in the spirit, be an atmosphere like we just won a cup, we’re on form and I almost feel sorry for that Southampton side that thought they were going places.
toonicle
Feb 24, 2013 at 2:47 AM
Comment #17Ed- like the team you have listed there, I don’t want to see Guti start but it seems like a given every game that he’s gonna start unless he’s hurt. Not that i’m wishing a minor ankle injury on him 🙂
jimmysmith
Feb 24, 2013 at 2:55 AM
Comment #18Hoping that we will really hit our straps at home against the Saints, and deliver the dominant incisive win that we seem to have been building up to.
Then again, it’s always the hope and expectation that undoes you.
Keep your feet on the ground jimmy, always remember, keep your feet on the f@cken ground.
Novocastrian66
Feb 24, 2013 at 4:23 AM
Comment #19We MUST win today. We will see what we are made of today. Hopefully Pardew will loosen the reins at let the boys fly.
Somehow I think not.
willowdalerez
Feb 24, 2013 at 4:32 AM
Comment #20This is a must win in my mind. We are a much improved side and we are at home. We need to stay clear of the drop zone and our boys have been playing great. Would start worrying again if we dropped this one tomorrow.
nick_9
Feb 24, 2013 at 6:09 AM
Comment #21Point nearer the dreaded R zone after yesterday’s games. A win today would do very nicely. Fullbacks were tested and are freest, gouffran is back available and I think tiote is touch and go. Not going to waste my time doing a starting eleven but I think Anita could play very well alongside gouffran and sissoko with cabaye and tiote behind. He isn’t a winger but he does create chances and is a good technical player. Fullbacks provide us with more than enough width.
Jonas gives his all i know but I don’t think he warrants a starting birth on current form. He hesitates on the ball, rarely beats a man and falls over. Yes he wins freekicks but we all know those need working on along with corners. Anita did great when cabaye was out/tiote away so and now we have extra players in I would love to see him given a fair crack.
Meaningless rant really because Pardew never listens to me personally despite the many applications to be assistant manager. Big game today lads, I hope it’s an enjoyable one for you all.
nick_9
Feb 24, 2013 at 6:11 AM
Comment #22Fullbacks were rested and are fresh* grrrr
obatoyou
Feb 24, 2013 at 6:18 AM
Comment #23hm was about to put a couple hndred on newcastle to win 2-0….
though, Southampton have only lost by more than 1 on 3 or 4 occasions in the whole season..
looking at their recent results, they are even better than I thought… their only loss this year in 7 games away to man u..
draws with Arsenal and Chelsea,
top game we’re in for here sports fans!~
don’t think I’ll put any money on it… not touchin this one anymroe.. better bet on Tottenham at even money to take care of west ham..
check the toastie
Feb 24, 2013 at 6:38 AM
Comment #24Think we may win by the odd goal, however got a feeling we may have to settle for the draw, would actually prefer Anita or Perch to play instead of Tiote, think Anita should be given the nod.
If we go in the lead Pardew will have everybody sitting, so will scramble home, anybody thinking we will win by two clear goals hasnt been watching us under Parsnip.
check the toastie
Feb 24, 2013 at 6:51 AM
Comment #25Is it any Coincedence the French Flag is also Sports Directs used Colours? Hope we go for it today, i am hoping for a Stoke Home from last year type of performance, the best performance under Parsnip for me, Chelsea was preetty good a couple of weeks back mind.
Come on boys, press high up the pitch and grab some goals. Not looking forward to Jonas stuttering away again. pffffffffttttttttttt
Jail for Ashley
Feb 24, 2013 at 8:09 AM
Comment #26Check,
Will see Check the French toastie at the match today ?
bills-son
Feb 24, 2013 at 8:39 AM
Comment #27I’m having a daft tenner on a Cisse hattrick – got a feeling we are going to score a few in this game.
Moat1
Feb 24, 2013 at 8:42 AM
Comment #28http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/tulisa-contostavlos-x-factor-judges-1727930
Marty-Toon
Feb 24, 2013 at 8:47 AM
Comment #29Tough game but we’ll be up for it today and they’re a technical team and good on the break.
We’ll need to ride a storm at times but we’ve been defending well lately since Willo has been outa the picture.
Hopefully Cisse has his shooting boots on today and another screamer from Cabaye to seal it.
Ah heck,let’s see Santon,Tayls,Collo,Sissoko and Gouffran score too and have a great day 🙂
Jail for Ashley
Feb 24, 2013 at 8:50 AM
Comment #30bills,
Dont know why theres so much nay saying about todays game were going to absolutely hammer them.
Marty-Toon
Feb 24, 2013 at 8:55 AM
Comment #31JFA
I hope you’re right there.
Comfortable win I don’t think it’ll be but I’d certainly take that
Graeme
Feb 24, 2013 at 9:03 AM
Comment #32Given the reinforcements brought in and the injury crisis now over, if the season were to start today our squad would be expected to be in the top 6-8 without doubt.
If Pardeaux plays the right players, in the correct positions, then a win against Saints is the only possible result.
I think a 2-0 to us would be a pretty good result to be honest.
Bettersford
Feb 24, 2013 at 9:04 AM
Comment #33Another incentive to win today we will go above the mackems.
sirtoongospel
Feb 24, 2013 at 9:08 AM
Comment #34I think we will need to score a few to subdue Southampton today. They regularly find the net an have played a very attacking game under their new gaffer. Having said that, it could play into our hands as Sissoko loves having space to run into.
I am gonna have a flutter on something daft like 4-2. Would take 3 points any way we can get them though. Win today and that table will look very nice indeed.