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
Jail for Ashley
Mar 6, 2013 at 9:09 PM
Comment #41Shoal blog ?
Shola slog it.
Dagwoodz
Mar 6, 2013 at 9:10 PM
Comment #42I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, all in all.
Where’s robin and Catchy when you need a little comic relief?
niafron
Mar 6, 2013 at 9:11 PM
Comment #43Absolutely. Could be a good move.
And Lavezzi just scored after a great work by Gameiro.
toonarmydownsouth
Mar 6, 2013 at 9:12 PM
Comment #44Niafron
For such an expensively assembled squad they don’t look all that good to be honest!
niafron
Mar 6, 2013 at 9:12 PM
Comment #45Still, a Valence’s goal is enough for having over time…
Jail for Ashley
Mar 6, 2013 at 9:17 PM
Comment #46Dag
Won’t see catchy until the next defeat as he absolutely nothing tp add to the blog other than slagging Pardew .
toonLYF
Mar 6, 2013 at 9:19 PM
Comment #47yeah, that was terrific drive and desire from Gameiro, something this game has been lacking.
Love this player.
niafron
Mar 6, 2013 at 9:21 PM
Comment #48They aren’t…
But it’s not their best game, they were far better during the away game.
Jail for Ashley
Mar 6, 2013 at 9:21 PM
Comment #49Niafron,
The bbc website is showing 3-2 to both sides which is it
Dagwoodz
Mar 6, 2013 at 9:22 PM
Comment #50Oh well, I guess I’ll wait a while (hopefully). robin should be on here soon to insert his mackem’esque one comment per article that means nothing…
Dagwoodz
Mar 6, 2013 at 9:23 PM
Comment #51JfA
PSG is 3-2 up on aggregate as they won 2-1 at Valencia.
Jail for Ashley
Mar 6, 2013 at 9:26 PM
Comment #52Cheers,
Would like to see a Madrid PSG final.
Dagwoodz
Mar 6, 2013 at 9:31 PM
Comment #53I’m thinking Juve and Madrid…though it’s very difficult to leave Bayern out of that conversation.
It all depends on the draw anyways. All four of the teams we mentioned could be out of the tournament. (doubtful)
niafron
Mar 6, 2013 at 9:31 PM
Comment #54Madrid -PSG?
Why not, but for me, Juve and Bayern are the best teams of the competition.
niafron
Mar 6, 2013 at 9:34 PM
Comment #55Got to go lads.
Bonne soirée messieurs.
Dagwoodz
Mar 6, 2013 at 9:39 PM
Comment #56What’s scary is as well as they played the first leg against Barca, AC Milan could surprise a few people.
They’re all great teams, so anything could happen. Just going to sit back and enjoy the ride.
RonVanDam
Mar 6, 2013 at 9:44 PM
Comment #57Anyone read this. So hilarious its embarrassing lol
http://www.newcastleunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/man_utd_fan_phoned_the_police_to_arrest_ref_786411/index.shtml
Dagwoodz
Mar 6, 2013 at 9:55 PM
Comment #58The sad part is, he was probably serious when he made that 999 call…
Sounds this manc descended from the unwashed….about on par with them as far as brain power is concerned.
ToonDownSouth
Mar 6, 2013 at 9:58 PM
Comment #59I wonder if Ferguson thinks Nani could have killed Arbeloa?
Dagwoodz
Mar 6, 2013 at 10:03 PM
Comment #60Even if Nani had killed Arbeloa, Fergie would have argued it wasn’t a red card.
Jail for Ashley
Mar 6, 2013 at 10:06 PM
Comment #61Did Fergie really think he would change the refs mind when he came waddling down those steps.
RonVanDam
Mar 6, 2013 at 10:08 PM
Comment #62I bet Nani is up for sale in summer.
I would say the ref got it wrong. Nani was watching the ball the whole time, got his foot up to make contact and Arbeloa seem to be in the right spot.
If both teams played 11 vs 11. Man U wouldve won it no doubt.
beefman13
Mar 6, 2013 at 10:11 PM
Comment #63tds, the youngins in general got us through the group stages quite comfortably, it was only the last game away in france that we got a bit of a beating against a side only beaten once in 10 years at home in europe.
I dont expect Campbell to start, pardew wont pick him over a senior anyway, true to form, the lad is on a hiding to nowt away in russia, would have loved him to get a srtart before this at SJP in the europa, i still believe in our youngins and as pedro said today in the chronicle he believes strongly they will come on for there experiences this season, he rates them highly.
I will add a massivly tough game over there, a draw would be more than wonderful.
If he is not injured it proves how important Pardew sees Jonas in the prem team, i believe he comes before gouffran on the teamsheet. (mind boggling)
mot7
Mar 6, 2013 at 10:12 PM
Comment #64tads
i dont seem to remember pissing and moaning about playing kids in earlier rounds .
I do feel however playing 5 or six youngsters is a bit different to playing 1 .
And yes i would still play campbell and dont give me that shola bollocks the fact is hes is shite form his talent level to his attitude he shouldnt be near a first team shirt
yo-yo
Mar 6, 2013 at 10:17 PM
Comment #65JfA
He wasn’t waddling he was storming 🙂
SAF toys pram.
IMO it was a red card offence as far as the book is concerned, though the ref could have shown discretion as he had not been previously browbeaten, intimidated or terrorised by MUFC he wasn’t frightened to make the decision. Intent is not relevant in chest high studs up incidents. It was not an overhead kick where the kicker is falling backwards as the shot is taken so cannot be compared with those either. I very rarely agree with an ex-unwashed manager but I did last night.
tooninspain
Mar 6, 2013 at 10:38 PM
Comment #66Cockney……glad you’ve done as you’re told and stayed in your room tonight. I just hope you haven’t been playing with your button mushroom all the time.
Tsunki
Mar 6, 2013 at 10:40 PM
Comment #67Nani? Not a red card, although I wouldnt care less whatever happened to him, I just think its easy in slo-mo to say he had intent, but when it happened in real time it had the look and feel of Nani with his back to upfield anticipating bringing the ball down at all costs, Whether its a credit or a weird thing to do to oneself, Arbeloas haste to get into a rising leg has to be a stunning bit of suicidal haste.
Campbell – we might like to see him come on against Anzhi but being realistic at the level he has been playing chucking him in here could be a soul-destroying experience rather then the making f the man. Awwww what the heck, chuck him on.
Joe Blog
Mar 6, 2013 at 10:40 PM
Comment #68I know this isn’t the purpose of the blog, but if anyone is interested in buying an iPhone 4 locked to the Orange/EE network, for £150, contact me on coolcatcarter89@hotmail.co.uk – only people that use Paypal though please, chaps.
The phone is in great condition, with minor wear that’s noticeable only when you really go out your way to look for it; with all the original packaging, manuals, USB cable, charge adapter and new earphones. I’m selling it as I’ve just upgraded to the iPhone 5.
Tried selling it on Ebay, only for a pissing Nigerian scammer to place the highest bid.
It’ll be sent by Royal Mail Special Delivery at no charge to you.
F*****g rigmarole selling a phone these days 😆 Only other option is taking it to CEX or something, so they can buy it for £125 then sell it for £200+, the gits.
Dagwoodz
Mar 6, 2013 at 10:42 PM
Comment #69Nani also had been making a meal of, and going in hard on tackles leading up to that karate kick. I’m pretty sure the ref had given a verbal warning to him, and when that happened, any discretion was thrown out of the window due to the possible severity of injury that could have occured.
I just laughed when I saw Fergie come rolling down the stairs from his perch…shoving one of his staff almost over the rail.
mot7
Mar 6, 2013 at 10:46 PM
Comment #70At some point you have to give the kids a chance some prove there ready some dont but you dont find out untill you put them in .
There is always some reason not to play them its a euro away game its a important prem game .
Just my view but i would let a enthusiastic young talented player try and maybe fail rather than let the fat lazy shola plod around then use the pitch as a excuse for being crap
Jail for Ashley
Mar 6, 2013 at 10:51 PM
Comment #71Toonisapain,
I fancy a tight defensive display and hopefully try to catch them on the break,an away goal will be crucial.
yorkshire_magpie
Mar 6, 2013 at 10:55 PM
Comment #72…………………….Elliot
Simmo…….Mbiwa……..Taylor……….haidara
……………….Anita………Cabaye
Marveaux………Sissoko……………….Santon
…………………….Strolla
Ben arfa to come on 60-70 mins.
mot7
Mar 6, 2013 at 10:56 PM
Comment #73After all my shola slating tonight im putting him down for a brace just to give me that happy sad nufc fan feeling
tooninspain
Mar 6, 2013 at 10:56 PM
Comment #74Good for you Ashley. Don’t forget you need to apply your pile medication every night, otherwise you’ll have to give the boyfriend a miss for a while.
Jail for Ashley
Mar 6, 2013 at 11:03 PM
Comment #75Toonisapain,
It has been shown that a 0-0 draw actually favours the away team in the second leg so its vital we get at least one goal.
Shinyscyther
Mar 6, 2013 at 11:08 PM
Comment #76Not a red but screw it, Tioté and Colo have been sent off this season for going for a ball and not even making contact with the player. If it would have happened against them and the red was not produced Fergie would have been just as animated.
yorkshire_magpie
Mar 6, 2013 at 11:08 PM
Comment #77Have to agree with jail for ashley. We have to score a goal away from home.
tooninspain
Mar 6, 2013 at 11:09 PM
Comment #78Where exactly?
toonLYF
Mar 6, 2013 at 11:14 PM
Comment #79yorkshire…i really like that line-up, i can’t see it happening but we might be pleasantly surprised. I think it’d be really effective away from home.
tooninspain
Mar 6, 2013 at 11:16 PM
Comment #80Trashley has a point, but Manure scored an away goal, and we know the rest. Anyway, we can hypothesise as much as we like, but tomorrow is going to be bloody difficult. I’d still take a 1-1 draw now.