Newcastle will field another good looking back four tomorrow afternoon in the important league game against Southampton – which we really need to win – but there will still be four changes made from the defense that played against Metalist Kharkiv on Thursday night, so the team will still be fresh.
Massadio Haidara in action Thursday – had a great debut for Magpies
Tim Krul will be seeing a specialist on Monday, after he had a scan yesterday on his damaged left ankle, but the results of that scan proved inconclusive so rumors that he was out for five weeks may be premature – but he will not play on Sunday.
And Mathieu Debuchy, Steven Taylor and Davide Santon will come in for Danny Simpson, Yanga-Mbiwa and Massadio Haidara, and they will know their places are under threat, because the three they are replacing all had stellar games on Thursday night, including the returning Danny Simpson.
We knew Danny was a decent player, but Yanga-Mbiwa and Massadio Haidara proved they are top class players, and to come into a white-hot atmosphere and play as well as they did against Metalist, shows what very good players we now have in our squad.
And given that Massadio is still only 20 – here’s another full French International of the future in our ranks – as the youngster was simply awesome against Metalist.
It seems that Davide Santon would have played in the Ukraine, but he picked up a slight knock in training – so the young Frenchman took his chance big time – and it now seems Colo will be the only one in the defense tomorrow who also played in the Ukraine.
Alan Pardew now has the luxury of a strong squad to choose from – and he had this to say in the local press this morning:
“I only really rested Steven Taylor, and I didn’t really feel that was a case of resting someone because Mapou is at the same level.” “Mathieu Debuchy trained on Thursday and Davide feels a little bit stronger so I’m hoping they’ll both be available for Sunday.”
“But having said that, I have no problem picking Massadio now after his performance on Thursday. And of course Yoan Gouffran will be fresh.” “I’ll be able to freshen it up with some senior players, and I’ve never really had that luxury.”
“I’ve now got the luxury of having four center-halves, three of whom are really playing well. The other guy (Mike Williamson) isn’t really going to get a chance now because the other three are playing so well.”
“I don’t see any problem, if say, Colo got injured, because I could play the other two. I’ll put them all in the frame, but category one is our captain.”
Whatever team Alan puts out tomorrow will be a strong one – and we need to show the same skill and determination we showed in our previous two games in Europe if we are to get all 3 points – because we are up against a rapidly improving Southampton side.
What do you think?
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18 comments so far
olivant
Feb 23, 2013 at 9:52 AM
Comment #1Great to have a fight for the back 4 Places. Something we havent seen since the great days of Bramble hehe
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Feb 23, 2013 at 9:55 AM
Comment #2Graeme…Why thank you, although breakfast in bed was a little cold, please do speak to those involved and ensure it doesn’t happen again 😉
Olivant….Krul is great, but I don’t really mind Elliot getting some games. Has been pretty solid for us when called upon before.
The Toon…Jeez….start the morning with an easy one 🙂 Without putting too much thought in to the actual remaining fixtures I’m going to go 9th in the league and quarters of the EL. How about you?
Graeme
Feb 23, 2013 at 9:56 AM
Comment #3M’biwa at the same level as Taylor?? Is Pardeaux trying to boost his ego or something??
On his best day, Saylor is nowhere near good enough to be classed on the “same level” as M’biwa, but will do well to learn from him.
Graeme
Feb 23, 2013 at 9:57 AM
Comment #4Ibiza – breakfast in bed!! I’m in the wrong bloody hotel in that case lol. Just cant get the staff eh!!
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Feb 23, 2013 at 9:57 AM
Comment #5On thread…Absolutely mental. Do we nearly have a decent (ish) second set of defenders?
Can’t get used to this squad depth malarkey, what next, a trophy?
olivant
Feb 23, 2013 at 9:58 AM
Comment #6If Elliot is a good keeper, he must get some games in order to put Krul under preasure, also to get some experience. I am thinking for number10-12 in the League, and we will win EL :). Cant hurt to be optimistic
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Feb 23, 2013 at 10:01 AM
Comment #7Graeme…I really like Taylor in the team. His biggest issue is staying available to the team. Probably a bit naive to think we’ll ever get much more than half a season with his record, but he does bring a certain je ne sais quoi to the defense. But as good as Mbiwa? I feel a bit of ball tickling going on there.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Feb 23, 2013 at 10:03 AM
Comment #8Olivant…I prefer your prediction tbh, so lets go with yours. I’m certainly not one to shy away from optimism.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Feb 23, 2013 at 10:07 AM
Comment #9There is also a possibility that we may be back above the mackems this weekend.
olivant
Feb 23, 2013 at 10:13 AM
Comment #10I am an optimist to, i think you have to be when supporting NUFC. M´biwa looks a very exciting player. S. Taylor is an excelent defender, but his injuri record is a bit worrying, and he will as you say give us 1/2 a season at most
Graeme
Feb 23, 2013 at 10:14 AM
Comment #11Ibiza, agreed, I do enjoy a good “Ball-tickling” myself lol
Unfortunately, Saylor has never played more than about 12 games in a row before taking to the sick-bed for several months. Still – he probably has a few weeks left in him!!
The really good news is that when he does break down, there are players who are even better, available to step in!!
giimps
Feb 23, 2013 at 10:16 AM
Comment #12It is possible that Tayls can stay injury free for a full season or two, RVP has been injury free for a while and he was a well known “sick note” .on the other hand, Kieron Dyer………
Hopefully he can stay fit, our defence is so much better when he plays.
Prediction for Southampton is 3-1 to us.
HWTL
rasul
Feb 23, 2013 at 10:17 AM
Comment #13Here is Pardeaw s team for sundays game for thoose who dosent know him yet haha.
Harper(should be Elliot
Debuchy saylor colo(should be mbiva) santon
jonas(should be marveux) tiote cabaye sissoko goufran
Cisse
But having mbiva marveux obertan on the bench isnt that bad. Dont think we will se ben harfa in this game. IF JONAS PLAYS, he has to play on the rigt wing, i just cant take his left foot crosses anymore. He actually is good in the right wing 🙂
And for the game, im nervous ass hell 😛
Number9
Feb 23, 2013 at 10:43 AM
Comment #14We need to have Mapou in the starting 11 for every game he can possible play. This man is class. FFS he captained a Ligue 1 title winning side. I was also impressed by Haidara, he looks so composed on the ball for being so young.
Neun78
Feb 23, 2013 at 8:43 PM
Comment #15how can you say that its good elliot get games??????????
can you se him do like krul*????
krul out and we are in relegation battle for sure.
Owldman
Feb 23, 2013 at 10:46 PM
Comment #16@15 What do mean Krul out & we are in a relegation battle! we have been for half the season man! Krul’s distribution is crap he should be commanding his area but he dosnt , against Spurs he sould have been out & at Bales feet but he stayed on his
Owldman
Feb 23, 2013 at 10:48 PM
Comment #17Should read stayed on his line Bales could pick his spot which he did
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Feb 24, 2013 at 7:17 AM
Comment #18@15 + @16 :
It is very good that Elliot gets games, this will help his career and may go some way to cementing Elliots spot as the number two keeper behind Krul.
This will not mean in any way that we will have problems and get relegated and to suggest that here is way clear of the mark! The whole team was performing badly and Krul was just a part of that! One man does,nt make a team?
Our present demeanor is not due to the play of Krul because until the January window we had major problems with Injuries, suspensions plus a major confidence problem.
This all changed when Debuvhy, Soussoko amd Goeffron came in, and ,how!
Krul does, make the occasional mistake, he,s human for f….,s sake ! But he also happens to be the Dutch No 1 Keeper and does,nt deserve ant critic whatsoever on here from you lot?
Elliot could be just as good, given the chance and games?
As for Collocini, i would drop him to the bench and play Mbiwa? Collo will likely be leaving in the summer? Mbiwa i widely being touted as his replacement and from what i have seen, is fast developing into a better player than Collo anyway!
As for the game today, well it aint going to be easy but i can see us detting the win , 3- 1 , Cisse for the 1-0! then shortly after Soussoko 2-0! Then in the second half we will have a spell when Southampton come into it again with Puncheon making the 2-1! In the last five minutes. we will get a Cabaye free kick for the 3-1 !
At least, that is how i,ve dreamt it?
Neun78! It is very,very very good that Elliot gets games! Krul is one of the best keepers in the world at this moment but Elliot deserves his chance?