It’s going to be a tough game for Newcastle United against FC Anzhi Makhachkala at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium tonight, in the first leg of the round of the last 16 of the Europa League.
But Anzhi’s manager Guus Hiddink has heaped praise on the new Newcastle side, on the run-up to the game, and he has watched the Magpies a few times in preparation for tonight’s game, and the famous coach has said Newcastle are now a modern side who attack the opposition, and they have some powerful and good players.
Anzhi are owned by Russian Billionaire Suleyman Kerimov, and they have not been shy of paying our big dollars to get good players into the club, and they have some top class players who include their captain Eto’o.
And in January they brought in Brazilian Willian for £19M, which is a million more than Newcastle paid for the five players who came to Newcastle in that same month – Massadio Haidara, Moussa Sissoko, Yoan Gouffran, Mathieu Debuchy and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa.
Newcastle will be without Krul, Coloccini and Cisse for the game tonight, and they are out injured, and also Debuchy and Gouffran are not eligible to play in Europe for Newcastle.
So we think this could be the side that Alan Pardew could start tonight:
Elliot
Simpson Taylor (S) Yanga-Mbiwa Haidara
Ben Arfa Anita Sissoko Cabaye (c) Marveaux
Ameobi (Sh)
Subs: Alnwick Santon Perch Gosling Tiote Obertan Campbell
With Cisse being sick and Alan Pardew reticent to play Shola Ameobi on a plastic artificial surface, we’ve put 18 year striker Adam Campbell on the bench, and he could even get a run-out in this game.
Anzhi are going to come at Newcastle at the start of this game with everything they have to try to get a goal, so how we fare tonight will have a lot to do with how the back five perform, but this is almost the same team that had the great 1-0 victory at Metalist Kharkiv, so if we can play as well as that – we’ll have a chance.
And with these European ties, it’s important to try to get an away goal, as that is the first decider if the scores are level after the two legs.
In our poll on how Newcastle will fare tonight, 46% think the game will end in a draw (that includes me so it probably will never happen), and the rest are split between winning and losing the game – at 27% each.
Newcastle’s objective will be to stay in the tie tonight, so that it’s possible next Thursday night to put in a performance to do what’s necessary to win the tie at St. James’ Park and go though to the quarter finals of the competition.
But what’s necessary will be completely dependent on how our lads perform tonight in Moscow tonight.
Here’s a chance to vote on the result if you haven’t already done so.
We can shock a lot of people tonight.
Howay The Lads!!
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73 comments so far
harrizoom
Mar 7, 2013 at 11:47 AM
Comment #1There is zero chance of ben arfa starting tonight would be stupidity if he did, he shouldnt of even travelled, he has bad hamstrings and two of the worst things for bad hamstrings are the cold and poor surfaces both of which newcastle are facing later. Would really like to see santon in a more advanced role which will allow marveoux tobplay in his more central position rather then stuck on a wing where i think he is poor, also if ameobi cant play on this surface why play him, play sissoko up there with marv just off him
fergies left foot
Mar 7, 2013 at 11:49 AM
Comment #2Dont feel to confident about picking up any points but I think
away goals will be key for us if we are to go through.
3-1 Anzhi first leg, then well smash them to bits at home. I honestly believe we will.
Hatem's better than Messi
Mar 7, 2013 at 11:52 AM
Comment #3Hopefully Pardew will start with Campbell and bring Shola on as a sub.
What is with these East European team’s crests?
The Metalist one was nasty too.
Transfer Sage
Mar 7, 2013 at 11:55 AM
Comment #4The pitch isn’t amazing but these artificial pitches have come on so much the past 10 years….they are much safer than they were at one time so I wouldn’t get too worried about that.
Just looking at the forecast…temp be between 0 and -4 celcius…cold but not terrible especially with all the base layers players can wear now (work a lot more than you’d think).
I think ben arfa should be on the bench but purely depends how he has trained. If he has handled the cold and surface well might be worth starting him even if you just get 45 mins out of him. Can always bring him off when he is tired/feeling it a bit where as if you give him 20 mins at the end you could be losing out on 10/15mins he could have played.
Transfer Sage
Mar 7, 2013 at 11:58 AM
Comment #5hatem
I sing campbells praises all the time but too much to start him when he hasn’t even got on as a sub this year.
I think he is good enough but lacking the experience so would maybe get him on as a sub as they are tiring and he is fresh…be a good impact sub tonight.
Spotlight Kid
Mar 7, 2013 at 12:00 PM
Comment #6If Ben Arfa is even half a yard off the pace he will be crunched the moment he hesitates on the ball. This is not a good game to bring him back. Whatever happened to the tried and trusted route of “a few games in the reserves”?
Rainrix
Mar 7, 2013 at 12:02 PM
Comment #7As much as i’d love to i doubt we’ll see campbell tonight. if he got of the bench then fair play to pards, but i predict unimaginatively perch coming on.
If HBA is fit enough then i say bring him on for the last 30 – 20 minutes. Much better to play him against tiring opposition when he can cause some damage, plus it minimises the time he can potentially get injured which is a bonus.
Scoring tonight and not losing by a horrific margin would be a decent result in all honesty. As we saw against AZ away goals can be vital.
Spreadthetoon
Mar 7, 2013 at 12:08 PM
Comment #8Blood Campbell and rest Shola against a physical Stoke @ the weekend……..Campbell is good enough, the lad is never gonna get experience unless you play the lad. Campbell to start for me….sadly I think it may be a little predictable for Shola instead…..!!
Transfer Sage
Mar 7, 2013 at 12:08 PM
Comment #9rainrix
well anzhi haven’t kept a clean sheet in 4 games….which is good for us and the most they have scored is 3 in a game since september so a good chance that even a 3-1 defeat we can get a win to go through at home.
I think if we keep the score close (and we score) so either a draw or narrow loss (no more than 2 goals in it) we can go on to win at home.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Mar 7, 2013 at 12:09 PM
Comment #10Just confirmed Colo out for 7-8weeks
broke two bones in his back and has returned to Argentina
Spreadthetoon
Mar 7, 2013 at 12:11 PM
Comment #11reckon we could nick it 0-1. Eto is good but he’s an aged player these days…….not sure how potent he still is…..cannot dispute his world class quality though.
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Mar 7, 2013 at 12:11 PM
Comment #12Campell should be out on loan; he shouldn’t even be playing for us.
…for me we are mismanaging our youth and biulding them up to something they are not!
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Mar 7, 2013 at 12:12 PM
Comment #13*building
WWYCD
Mar 7, 2013 at 12:14 PM
Comment #14People really want to start Campbell against these big hitters? Hmm interesting idea, he’d get dominated over 90 minutes though so lets get behind Shola
Transfer Sage
Mar 7, 2013 at 12:14 PM
Comment #15spread
would like campbell to get experience but starting an away leg of an important europa league game isn’t ideal to start.
rather see him make a few appearances off the bench
Rainrix
Mar 7, 2013 at 12:15 PM
Comment #16Sage… That bodes well then. We’re more than capable of beating them at home. Hopefully the stadium will be quieter and less hostile than some of the others we’ve played at, so ideally thats some pressure off.
Its hard to call really isnt it? Not sure what to expect from them having never seen them play apart from of course their expensive frontline. Quietly optimistic about this one.
JAMSHA
Mar 7, 2013 at 12:15 PM
Comment #17——————–Rob——————–
Simo———-Taylor—Yaya———Hidra
Obertan—Anita————-Tiote—-Marvo
——————Sissoko——————
——————Sholo——————–
Rainrix
Mar 7, 2013 at 12:16 PM
Comment #18Spread… Eto’o has a one in 2 record for anzhi. Not the strongest league in the world obviously but still impressive. He’s still a threat no doubt about it.
Transfer Sage
Mar 7, 2013 at 12:20 PM
Comment #19wwycd
with you there, if campbell have been coming off the bench for a motnh or two maybe start him…but he hasn’t played a competitive game with the first team so too much pressure to chuck him in from the start…maybe a sub appearance late on.
Jesper
I think our kids are over hyped…..but campbell is the one for me who has bags of potential. His game is all about pace and these kind of players usually have careers from 18-27/28 before theire pace goes and they begin to struggle (look at torres, owen, etc)
Spreadthetoon
Mar 7, 2013 at 12:20 PM
Comment #20Transfer / Jesper
I agree that blooding Campbell in an important Europa game is not ideal…..but then again there does not seem ever to be a good time to bring this lad in.
We place Fergie and Sammy out on loan and not Campbell who has had only 1 first team appearance this season in comparison and yet is not loaned out. To me that would suggest that this lad is good enough and ready for a 1st team place birth in this competition. Campbell is arguably our best youth player at the club, so doing nothing, keeping him sidelined and on the bench is going to do nothing for the lad’s confidence and that’s what all good players need. Take a chance on the lad….why not?
TheToonKing
Mar 7, 2013 at 12:20 PM
Comment #21simpson vs Zhirkov ? No…just no.
Santon Taylor Mbiwa Haidara
Rainrix
Mar 7, 2013 at 12:22 PM
Comment #22Jesper… I partially agree with you.
It all depends on how highly he’s rated by the club. If he’s not in the immediate plans then yeah he should go out on loan. Obviously not right now as we only have 2/3 strikers and we might need him if some disaster happens.
But in the summer where its likely we could sign 1-2 strikers then yeah send him out on loan. Its better doing it early than having what we have had this year, youngsters coming into the side who aren’t ready or don’t have the experience.
Spreadthetoon
Mar 7, 2013 at 12:23 PM
Comment #23Rain
Can never be complacent about one of the best players in modern time, and yes he’s got a good record in the Russian league but I think our defense should be able to contain him.
WWYCD
Mar 7, 2013 at 12:28 PM
Comment #24Sage
Even then it’d be a lot for him to take plus hes just recovered from injury not long ago hasn’t he? I think had Cisse been fit he’d be at home not in Russia
robin
Mar 7, 2013 at 12:33 PM
Comment #25NUFC, are more than capable of winning this game, if Pardew, has Sissoko, playing off Ameobi and Anita, Marveaux or Obertan playing out wide with Haidara and Santon as wingbacks. The mags will win 2-1, but Pardew is still the worst manager working in top flight football!
~ Phoenix Warrior Perch~
Mar 7, 2013 at 12:36 PM
Comment #26If only we had Xisco….
DokToon
Mar 7, 2013 at 12:45 PM
Comment #27and robin/roberta, you are the worst blogger here, shut it with the negativity.. back to your corner…
DokToon
Mar 7, 2013 at 12:46 PM
Comment #28pards is fine… have no idea why you hate him so…
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Mar 7, 2013 at 12:47 PM
Comment #29TS…I remember back when Chopra was a kid and he was scoring goals for fun for the youth and later on for the reserve. Everyone was building him up to something he was not.
He was kid who was thrown into the big league too soon and wasn’t up to it. He stopped progressing and look at him now!
He should have been out on loan and broad in gradually.
I don’t think he’s ready; not by far. He needs to go out on loan or else we break him to!
Spread…I honestly think it’s a big mistake taking chances on youth. They are not an object but a human being. You have to be careful with them or you might hinter or stop their progress. For me if Campbell was anyway near ready he should have featured by now.
Rainrix…you only agree partially with me 😀
Guys it’s just my humble opinion…
Mister Tuff
Mar 7, 2013 at 12:49 PM
Comment #30Spread @20 -I think Campbell has not been sent out on loan because we are a bit short of forwards and he has been kept back as an insurance policy in case the likes of Shola and Cisse get injured. A bit like what Percy told Abeid before Christmas -that he wanted him to go out on loan but not before January -when he anticipated new signings.
Also demonstrates our lack of a quality striker replacement. I suppose if we get knocked out over the two legs -back in the PL- we have Gouffran who will be eligible for the rest of the season -and a striker bought in the summer.
Whilst anxious about this game -if Shola can surprise us and play well – I’m going for a 2-2 draw.
Munster Mag
Mar 7, 2013 at 12:49 PM
Comment #31Perch will be one of the first names on the teamsheet. I dont know why you havent put him in Ed?
barkel
Mar 7, 2013 at 12:51 PM
Comment #32Square pegs again i think!
Dont think Ben Arfa will start, the only problem with Shola starting is the massive risk of him injuring himself on a pitch he has been advised not to play on.
I reckon I’d go with something like this ..
Elliot
Simpson Taylor (S) Yanga-Mbiwa Haidara
Anita Perch Cabaye (c) Marv
Sissoko
Obertan
Subs: Tiote Obertan Shola/Campbell
The classic Spanish formation of 4-6
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Mar 7, 2013 at 12:53 PM
Comment #33Tuff…Isn’t it a big mistake to hold back a youth prospect just as an insurance?
…we have just released two forwards and we had an opportunity to strengthen in January 🙂
*Sounds like someone fell asleep once again in the Newcastle hierarchy 😉 lol
barkel
Mar 7, 2013 at 12:53 PM
Comment #34Obviously Obertan wont start and be a sub, that doesn’t make any sense. I think depending on how the game is going the subs will be Tiote, Gosling & Shola/Campbell
Toon-Prodigy
Mar 7, 2013 at 12:53 PM
Comment #35Looking forward to this game. Would love to see Anita start along side Tiote and have then both sit just infront of the back four to see how they go.
4hrs until kick off..
Howay The Lads!
Spreadthetoon
Mar 7, 2013 at 12:55 PM
Comment #36I guess my view point is take a chance on Campbell who is chewing at the bit and has impressed in training all season long. Why not?…..surely not playing Campbell is not good for his development or experience. If he’s good enough then he’s good enough………..time will tell I guess. Still reckon we’ll edge this match with a very tough home fixture followed up!
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Mar 7, 2013 at 12:56 PM
Comment #37I agree with barkel I would play 4-6-0 tonight with a fake #9 (we interesting to see who that would be, but Sissoko is the obvious choice for me)
*I wouldn’t risk Shola or Benny to safe my life in this game. We cannot afford to loose Shola now and Benny has just come back from a mismanaged hamstring injury and it’s minus 4 degrees in Russia now.
Munster Mag
Mar 7, 2013 at 12:58 PM
Comment #38From previous…..What a bunch of conspiracy theory muppets. Quite simply, the guy has probably cracked ( hairline ) two bones and it has nothing to do with his spine. Do u think the club would make it up/ Muppets.
Troy Stavers
Mar 7, 2013 at 12:59 PM
Comment #39How on earth do a club that’s competes in Europe get away with playing on an artificial surface.
That gives them a great advantage. They play on it every other week but for visitors its a totally different experience that takes time to adapt.
The bounce of the ball is different.
Not happy with that like!
Apparently the ball they are playing with is one of those fuzzy ones, like an overgrown tennis ball and they play the head height rule!!!
It’s gonna be stop start all the time!!! What’s that about???? The bloody head height rule!!! Ban them!!
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Mar 7, 2013 at 12:59 PM
Comment #40Spread…for me Campbell is a diamond in the rough. Maybe he’s just another Chopra.
I would never play any youth players at our First team unless they have had a season i the Championship an shown they can handle it.