Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala, one of the best teams money can buy, are Newcastle’s strongest challenge yet in the Europa League – but that’s usually the case the further you get in any competition, especially in Europe.
Alan Pardew – our mentality is strong
Alan Pardew starts off the interview with Sky Sports this afternoon, by asking and answering a couple of rhetorical questions:
“Do I think we have got a chance in the competition? When you get to this stage, all the clubs have a chance.” “Do I think we have got a chance in the competition? When you get to this stage, all the clubs have a chance.”
“You need some luck, but you need a good technical game and you need to have the right mentality in the group. I think our mentality is strong.” “This tie is going to be close and I think the result here will have a huge reflection on St James’ Park because that is an advantage for us, that the second leg is there, for sure.”
“Papiss has been sick since Sunday, so myself and the doctor went to see him this morning to see whether we felt he could travel, with me definitely thinking he could.” “But he didn’t look well, to be honest, so we have had to leave him behind, unfortunately.” “That’s one of the reasons I brought Shola Ameobi, because I didn’t have any intention of bringing Shola.
“It’s a surface that he’s been advised in the past not to really to play on, so it leaves me a little bit short of striking options.” “We have practiced with the squad for three days on the surface and we will have a little experience of it tonight, so we have prepared ourselves.”
“And we have got good technical players – you have to be very, very highly technical on an astroturf pitch, and we have technical players, and I will side with those tomorrow in this team.”
That’s a bit of a surprise about Shola – so Alan wasn’t even going to take him to Moscow because of the plastic pitch, so we’ll have to see who starts up front with Papiss Cisse out – but it may not be Shola.
18 year-old striker Adam Campbell could even get a chance, and he said today that Newcastle had spent three days training on the 4G pitch at Druid Park, the home of Gosforth Rugby Football Club, to get some experience of what playing on a plastic pitch is like.
And Alan is right when he says we have good technical players, who should be able to play well on such a flat surface.
But we’ll find out soon enough tomorrow night – and the game is being televised live around the word – with a 5:00 pm Newcastle kick off time.
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95 comments so far
toonLYF
Mar 6, 2013 at 7:24 PM
Comment #1Ibiza…..the world of football apparently. I think it was an ESPN commentator in one of our Europa matches this season kept on saying how good we are from corners; and then he seemed genuinely stunned when we done f all from them. He obviously still thinks it’s 2010, i’m surprised he didn’t announce the game by saying, “no Barton, Nolan or Carroll is a blow for Newcastle tonight”, before continuing to painfully attempt to pronounce some of our French lad’s names. Commentators man, getting paid huge amounts, to essentially sit there and be absolutely clueless.
kevymartins
Mar 6, 2013 at 7:25 PM
Comment #2Astroturf and a 5 o clock kick off .ffs russia
Dagwoodz
Mar 6, 2013 at 7:26 PM
Comment #3No kidding Kevy…eating into happy hour. What were they thinking?
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Mar 6, 2013 at 7:26 PM
Comment #4LYF…Unlike most fans who pay to sit there and be absolutely clueless? 🙂
Some commentators are right idiots that is for sure. I tend to find it amusing though, surely someone must tell them what a prat they sound?
Krul to be Kind
Mar 6, 2013 at 7:29 PM
Comment #5sorry guys – repost
every round after this is a bonus, i feared for us against Metalist but we managed to scrape through.
I don’t fear too many teams left in the comp as there are a few tasty ties in this round that will see some good teams fall out which would increase our chances of progression from the quarters if we can get past Anzhi
Teams to fear imo
Stuttgart – Lazio
Benfica – Bordeaux
Spurs – Inter
Plzen – Fennerbahce
and 4 will leave this round as they all play each other… and i only add Plzen because any team that can beat Napoli 3 nil in Italy have to be feared!
kevymartins
Mar 6, 2013 at 7:29 PM
Comment #6@Lyf @Ibiza there all clueless on last years season review dvd on 1 off the matches ben arfa runs down the wing then hits a shot and the commentator is screaming CABAYE
Krul to be Kind
Mar 6, 2013 at 7:30 PM
Comment #7toonlyf @1
spot on haha
and we played quite a few league games on ESPN this season too, you think they would be clued in!
nick_9
Mar 6, 2013 at 7:31 PM
Comment #8I know cisse is hit and miss but this game just got a little tougher with him being left behind, as our striking options aren’t great. No krul, colo, gouffran, Debuchy and Jonas all out or not available to play.
Returning Ben Arfa who may or may not come on and an ageing striker who has been advised not to play on this surface. Guess we should only expect to win by a couple of goals now. Joking aside a draw would be great and give us a week to get some players back fit for the second leg. With only Campbell and shola available to play up top I think he will risk shola, would be nice to see Campbell on the pitch though
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Mar 6, 2013 at 7:32 PM
Comment #9Kevy…Really? Classic stuff. Morons. Mind, we are just a “wee club in the North East”.
Europe!
Krul…You know what you can do with your “re-post”!
kevymartins
Mar 6, 2013 at 7:33 PM
Comment #10Also a few weeks ago one of the commentators seemed pritty sure that santon was left footed
Big Pappa Cissé
Mar 6, 2013 at 7:37 PM
Comment #11Speaking of ESPN I am actually glad we are on ITV for a change. If I hear Chris Waddle say PELANTY one more time I might throw my remote through the screen 🙂
Krul to be Kind
Mar 6, 2013 at 7:39 PM
Comment #12Ibiza
thats not a geordie welcome young chap… wheres your manners! haha
Jail for Ashley
Mar 6, 2013 at 7:40 PM
Comment #13Our strike force is a joke,if somebody really did say lets let six strikers go and we’ll bring just the one in when making up the five year plan then gross misconduct just be applied and he should be jailed for it.
Dagwoodz
Mar 6, 2013 at 7:41 PM
Comment #14I think I fancy the following formation for tomorrows match…would never happen under Pardiola, but what can I say. Oh yeah, 4321…
Elliot
Simmo*** Taylor Mbwia Haidara
Santon Tiote Cabeye
Ben10** Sissoko
Ameobi *
* Sub Campbell on at 70′
** Sub Marveaux at 60′ if HBA looks rusty
*** Sub Anita in and shift Santon back to RB at 75′
Krul to be Kind
Mar 6, 2013 at 7:45 PM
Comment #15BPC
aye lad, bang on… ESPN have no passion for the games, even with Waddle!
ITV bring more to the game, but unfortunately it doesnt change the 5 kick off though, horrible time for a midweek game!
kevymartins
Mar 6, 2013 at 7:45 PM
Comment #16Lets see celtic get tanked out by juve
toonarmydownsouth
Mar 6, 2013 at 7:45 PM
Comment #17Dagwoodz
As desperate as we are tomos night for attacking options, starting benny would be a ridiculous decision there clearly worried about his fitness so can’t see him getting a start on a cold night in Russia on an astro turf pitch
dmac
Mar 6, 2013 at 7:46 PM
Comment #18Hmm play Shola and risk injuring him? Christ this is a tricky situation as we cant be without him as backup. I sense a baptism of fire for young Campbell. I think with Sissoko holding the ball up he would be good foil and make a good partnership. Possibly too early but what are the other options?
Dagwoodz
Mar 6, 2013 at 7:49 PM
Comment #19@TADS
True…could play the same line up and just start Marv there instead and bring Benny on later in the game.
toonarmydownsouth
Mar 6, 2013 at 7:50 PM
Comment #20Krul
Saying ITV bring more to the game than ESPN show how bad they are because ITV are fcuking awful! Most boring pile of p1ss about there commentators are!
Kevy
All commentators seem to struggle to tell the difference between cisse and sissoko
toonarmydownsouth
Mar 6, 2013 at 7:51 PM
Comment #21Dagwoodz
Aye Marv def needs some games could use his pace and ability, just hope it’s one of the games he turns up in!
woolerbill
Mar 6, 2013 at 7:56 PM
Comment #22Plastic pitch is no place Ben to make his comeback. These pitches were outlawed , they are dangerous for fit player. I don’t think we can go without gain this season.
Krul to be Kind
Mar 6, 2013 at 8:01 PM
Comment #23too true TADS… too true!!!
Jail for Ashley
Mar 6, 2013 at 8:07 PM
Comment #24You only had to look at Luton and QPR s home records compared to their away results to see that an astro turf pitch gives a clear advantage to the home side,I wouldn’t be to upset if we came away from there 2-1 down.
yo-yo
Mar 6, 2013 at 8:07 PM
Comment #25woolerbill
I think plastic pitches have come on a lot since the friction burns days.
I like Hiddink as a manager and he was pretty high up my own list when Pardew got the job. be interesting to see who wins the tactical battle.
niafron
Mar 6, 2013 at 8:12 PM
Comment #26Bonsoir messieurs.
What’s the hour of tomorow’s game?
Jail for Ashley
Mar 6, 2013 at 8:12 PM
Comment #27Yo-yo,
Was Shergar and Lord Lucan on that list as well. 🙂
toon85
Mar 6, 2013 at 8:14 PM
Comment #28£49 for man city away, they are takin the piss. No longer a workin mans game, no the wonder the atmosphere at games isn’t what it used 2 be. #cantaffordit!
santonthenewmaldini
Mar 6, 2013 at 8:18 PM
Comment #29The Man Utd away game where we had Perch, Bigi, Marveux and Anita we totally bossed them with high pressing and had Pardew not went negative in the last 10 minutes we would have got a result
Would not mind that Combination with Sissoko in a 5 man midfield possibly replace Perch with Dreamboat
If he is not sure about playing Shola he should put him on the bench and either play Campbell up front or put Sissoko up front?!? Both of them would offer plenty of pace and movement something which Shola will not and you cant really play long balls on a plastic pitch its better for through balls which would suit Campbells game
Just dying to see the young lad on the pitch in a proper game Pardew might not risk it but it would be such a surprise as the boy has such pace and can finish he will also not stop running from the games i have seen sort of reminds me of a Ginger Shane Long!!
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Mar 6, 2013 at 8:19 PM
Comment #30niafron…6 PM 🙂 (and that is our time mate ;))
niafron
Mar 6, 2013 at 8:29 PM
Comment #31Hi Jesper.
A bit Early for me, i get out of work at 18:30 PM. But french time!
So, if i make quick, i could maybe watch the whole game…
Dagwoodz
Mar 6, 2013 at 8:34 PM
Comment #32I’m going to have to rely on online updates unfortunately as the computers at work won’t let us stream anything. Oh well…probably all for the best as I’m sure my co-workers woudn’t want me yelling at the screen in the middle of the work day. Of course…it is going to be at 11am here in the states when it starts…might fancy heading home for lunch to catch the 2nd half.
Jail for Ashley
Mar 6, 2013 at 8:45 PM
Comment #33Sntonmaldini,
So that absolutely cracking game at runaway league leaders Man U was lost due to Pardew ,so had we have had a better manager we would have won the game 5-3 at Old Trafford like all the other top managers do.
mot7
Mar 6, 2013 at 8:51 PM
Comment #34Got to be campbell for me i think his pace on a tricky pitch could cause them some problems .
Still we know shola will be picked for his defencive duties more than his attacking skills of which he has none.
toonarmydownsouth
Mar 6, 2013 at 8:59 PM
Comment #35mot7
Seen a lot of Campbell in european competition then? Pretty similar standard to the reserve league i guess
Have to say its funny that for all the group stages people were p1ssing and moaning about playing our youngsters in europe and how it was an insult that pardew wasn’t taking the competition seriously etc are now the ones calling for a completely untested youngster to start ahead of a striker with european experience and is one of highest scoring players in european competitions!
That’s not to say Campbell shouldn’t get a half hour run out but seriously? Start the lad? FFS behave
breno95
Mar 6, 2013 at 9:01 PM
Comment #36Excuses coming out before game even started. Quality by Pardew.
Plastic pitch or not – should make no bloody difference but some buy into this rubbish.
A positive line up with a couple of surprises that would get a result and keep the tie alive could be:-
Elliott
Simpson Taylor Mbwia Haidarra
Obertan Cabaye Anita Marveaux
Sissoko
Campbell
Subs:-
Alnwick Santon Bigi Perch Tiote Shola
Strong enough 11 plus bench also. Campbell could be the curve ball. Anzi will a) not expect him to play, b) they will know nowt about him and c) he is quick and hungry with an eye for goal.
Selecting Campbell would be a show of balls and more attacking intent but alas Pardew dont have any and his tactics will be to not attack at all ang to try and get a scoreless draw especially if the totally ineffective Shola starts.
niafron
Mar 6, 2013 at 9:03 PM
Comment #37I’m watching PSG…
They are in trouble now.
toonLYF
Mar 6, 2013 at 9:04 PM
Comment #38Gameiro would be so good in this league! PSG hardly ever play him, so he surely can’t be content there. Surely we can strike up a loan deal?
Dagwoodz
Mar 6, 2013 at 9:08 PM
Comment #39Love how the neggers (negative posters, so some of you don’t get confused), are already starting to come out and nit pick everything that could concievably be wrong…a litte under 24 hours before a ball has even been kicked!
Just waiting for someone to come on here and say what a sh!te substitution Pardew made against Anzhi tonight…
@breno
You forgot to include HBA on your bench…or starting line up if you prefer.
Jail for Ashley
Mar 6, 2013 at 9:09 PM
Comment #40I think it’s a shame we didn’t consider bringing Saha in,he was good enough for our EL competitors Lazio,he might be getting on a bit but at least it would have given us more options than trying to get Shoal blog it out for 90 minutes.