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
Transfer Sage
Mar 6, 2013 at 11:17 PM
Comment #81Hello chaps
On the man utd red card…I’m unsure.
Do rules allow discretion for the high foot with studs up or not? If not then fair call although against what most people want to see in the game.
I think it needs to be looked at, can’t genuinely give a red for a player trying to control the ball just because another player throws his body in the way.
On our game…well they have signed Willian who will help on attack but will have a weaker defence now that samba is gone. Anyone know how they have played without samba?
Jail for Ashley
Mar 6, 2013 at 11:22 PM
Comment #82toonisapain,
It’s hypothetical looking at other peoples results or our own in the competition,we once went 1-0 up in Portugal after winning the first game 1-0 and went on to lose 4-2 on aggregate,so not much point in mentioning what happened to Man U yesterday.
tooninspain
Mar 6, 2013 at 11:24 PM
Comment #83Is that so Trashley? By the way, how are your piles?
Jail for Ashley
Mar 6, 2013 at 11:25 PM
Comment #84Transfer,
I think this will be talked about for a long time,where do we draw the line are we to start banning overhead kicks.
Jail for Ashley
Mar 6, 2013 at 11:30 PM
Comment #85toonisapain,
I believe so,any combination of results could see us go through with that away goal being the clinched here,a team used to playing in front of 12K,I think might struggle at SJP just a shame Mashed in his wisdom has started charging 26 quid for the tickets.
Jail for Ashley
Mar 6, 2013 at 11:34 PM
Comment #86Clincher ,Mashley
tooninspain
Mar 6, 2013 at 11:36 PM
Comment #87Trashley….trying to make sense of your last post, but you do make things difficult. I suspect you’re torn between this blog and having to re-apply the medication to your piles. Ask your boyfriend what’s more important.
Transfer Sage
Mar 6, 2013 at 11:37 PM
Comment #88Jail
Exactly. Of they deam studs to the body is dangerous then surely even the top of the boot to the face is equally as dangerous as could break jaw, knock out or even kill of very very unlucky.
No challenging for headers as could bang heads, no tackles as could break a leg…it’s pathetic now.
I don’t want to see players deliberately kickin lumps out of better players to stop them but when a player genuinely challenges for the ball, well tries to control it not even challenge, then how can that be a red in a contact sport.
Look at more physical games like rugby, much harder impact but as their players are fairies and dont spend their time trying to get the opposition sent off they manage fine.
Transfer Sage
Mar 6, 2013 at 11:39 PM
Comment #89We need to get one away goal at least.
Otherwise we are very vulnerable in the home leg should we concede
Jail for Ashley
Mar 6, 2013 at 11:40 PM
Comment #90toonisapain,
I think it’s better to have a full stadium at half price than seeing only 30 odd thousand there at full price.
Jail for Ashley
Mar 6, 2013 at 11:45 PM
Comment #91Transfer,
If you listen to the arguments for both sides of the incident yesterday they both sound convincing,so it will be always contested.
tooninspain
Mar 6, 2013 at 11:46 PM
Comment #92Trashley….you need to do your maths homework. 30 odd thousand at full price gives us more revenue than a full stadium at half-price. Perhaps you haven’t started on mutiplications yet at your day school. Anyway, may your next bowel movement be a whole pineapple. Hasta manana tonto.
AMEOBI
Mar 6, 2013 at 11:51 PM
Comment #93Thought i’d share what i said on msn about the real madrid game.
Why do women come on to sport on msn if they don’t like it? Complaining as per usual, obviously their husbands dont wanna listen to the crap they chat. Bit of friendly advice, stick to what you do best? Cooking our meals.
Roy Keane was spot on, why does Nani need to lift his foot that high to take a touch? If this was a Real Madrid player doing this SAF would be calling for his head! The guy is an absolute disgrace as was Ferdinand the tool, FA sometimes i wonder if its Fergie Association.. Seeing him running down them steps probably the best part of the match.
Keane i’ve never liked you ever since you started on Shearer then managed the scum but boy you’re some man! Credit where its due.
😉
Jail for Ashley
Mar 6, 2013 at 11:54 PM
Comment #94toonisapain,
30K at £26 is exactly the same revenue as 52K at £15 a head,not exactly half price but I think the full house would give us an advantage.
Sav
Mar 7, 2013 at 12:01 PM
Comment #95Breaking News….Shola will play on artificial grass tonight with 2 clods of wet turf strapped to his boots.
Said the Geordie hero ” I’ve often been told I seem to play with both feet in clarts and now’s my chance to put my talent to good use for the lads”