At Alan Pardew’s press conference on Wednesday afternoon, the Newcastle manager pointed out that Anzhi have some top players, who could cause Newcastle some problems tomorrow night.
Alan Pardew at his press conference
Yes – that beard is growing
But it seems that the Tyneside club have had some success in selling tickets for the game, and over 42,000 fans are now expected to attend the game against Anzhi Makhachkala, and that could be a great advantage to the Magpies.
Here’s what the Newcastle manager had to say about the game, which is one of the biggest in Europe for many years for Newcastle:
“You don’t want to win on away goals, you’ve got to win the game. The agenda’s in front of us, the emphasis is on us and we’ll have 42,000 Geordies in here going mad.” “They have had experience of playing against Premier League opposition this year, at Liverpool – they lost 1-0 – and I think this game will be tougher for them.”
“I spoke to Brendan Rodgers about the two fixtures that they had. Of course I’m not going to disclose the ins and outs of what we both felt tactically might be the answer but he was very complimentary of their ability and their players.” “He gave me a couple of little warnings and a couple of pieces he thought we could benefit from – no more than that.
“We’ve also done an analytical study of their games. We watched and analysed their game on Sunday so we know all we need to know about the opposition. “That doesn’t mean to say we can stop them – they’ve got some outstanding players and one of the best managers in the last two or three decades in charge, so it’s a tough agenda for us, make no mistake.
“But I still have a strong feeling that we can win, and our fans will on the back of three home wins. We’re going into it with good confidence.” “I think it’s two really, really good sides – there’s no doubt about that.”
“They have good quality. Jucilei, who our fans won’t know, sits in front of their back four and is an outstanding player. They obviously have Samuel Eto’o and if Willian plays, they have offensive players that are going to cause us trouble.”
“But we’re really in good form and we have a great spirit at the training ground at the moment. It’s a great opportunity for us and we’re going to try to take that.”
We’d be surprised if Willian is fit to play, after damaging his hamstring in the game last Thursday night in Moscow, and he missed the Russian Premier League game on Sunday, and we expect Lacina Traore to start in his place.
Of course 22 year-old Ivorian Traore, is also an excellent up and coming player.
Here’s hoping we can get through tomorrow night.
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63 comments so far
Toon-Prodigy
Mar 14, 2013 at 9:09 AM
Comment #41Ibiza,
Thought we started pretty decently against stoke. Didn’t see any sort of holding off, inviting them to us. Pretty racy start, very attack minded. Got at them early I thought. They did take a while to break down and our high balls into the box didn’t help the situation.
Aye, seeing as im missing the second half tonight, im expecting an onslaught in the first half and a shocking boring performance in the second 🙂
The game will be dead and buried within 45 mins ; )
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Mar 14, 2013 at 9:10 AM
Comment #42Mark…Good morning and good point. That Ibiza needs to be outed a.s.a.p, what an idiot he is 😉
Black and white…If you feel like making a habit of taking people to their first trip to SJP do keep me in mind 🙂 Enjoy the game.
cyprus
Mar 14, 2013 at 9:10 AM
Comment #43Ibiza weather sounds ok,sort of, but Cyprus weather? Magnificent! Not a cloud in sight. You don’t believe me check the weather reports!
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Mar 14, 2013 at 9:11 AM
Comment #44Prodigy…Sounds good to me. 3 or 4 goals in the first half should do the trick.
Agree on the Stoke game, I think we gave a good showing and were certainly the better and more threatening team.
Markaccus
Mar 14, 2013 at 9:11 AM
Comment #45Well, I spend my money going to Rugby matches, only occasionally get to SJP. Wouldn’t have minded a ticket for tonight, though. Still, ESPN and a take-away for me and wor lass will do. At least its warm.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Mar 14, 2013 at 9:12 AM
Comment #46Cyprus….I believe you mate. I always tone down my weather report as the Newcaslte natives seem to take it as me poking fun at them – as if I’d ever want to do that 🙂
Novocastrian66
Mar 14, 2013 at 9:13 AM
Comment #47At graft tonight. Miss the match again. Perhaps I could phone in on the sick with cup fever. Really fancy our chances tonight.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Mar 14, 2013 at 9:15 AM
Comment #48http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11678/8564587/Moussa-Sissoko-says-Newcastle-s-French-force-is-not-an-issue-for-squad
Toon-Prodigy
Mar 14, 2013 at 9:16 AM
Comment #49Well im off to kip, it’s my bedtime.
The only good thing about nightshift is the day dosn’t drag on matchday because im fast asleep with the alarm set!
Goodnight all.
Catch yas all later! Toon Toon
Transfer Sage
Mar 14, 2013 at 9:16 AM
Comment #50Willian is out tonight which helps us as he is a threat.
Hopefully eto’o will play deeper again, the further away from our goal he is the better and more special hie effort will have to be.
Markaccus
Mar 14, 2013 at 9:18 AM
Comment #51I think, after his tap in v stoke, cisse will return to form. 3-1 tonight, cisse 2 and socks to score.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Mar 14, 2013 at 9:19 AM
Comment #52Prodigy…Sleep well mate.
Nova…I can’t see any issue with calling in sick with cup fever, perfectly good excuse if you ask me, but it is only advice and is not my profession.
Oh God, flash backs. No, stop, not again, my brain can’t take it again.
Novocastrian66
Mar 14, 2013 at 9:26 AM
Comment #53Don’t think I’ll get away with it Ibiza mate. I’ll settle for watching it on the box before I set off for a night of hell. A quarter final slot will help me through the night.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Mar 14, 2013 at 9:28 AM
Comment #54Novo…You sure you can’t find a way to blame Pardew for you not making it?
I’m sure every toon fan will be happy if we win tonight.
Markaccus
Mar 14, 2013 at 9:28 AM
Comment #55Time for another campaign….
Nightshift- OUT!
Markaccus
Mar 14, 2013 at 9:32 AM
Comment #56Ibiza- I know how happy I will be if we win, and as I would probably be considered an ‘armchair’ fan, I can only imagine the total delerium that will be evident at SJP tonight!
Armchairs- OUT!
Novocastrian66
Mar 14, 2013 at 9:35 AM
Comment #57Is Pardew talking up the game and the competition too much? He is sounding like a boxing promoter trying to sell tickets for a bout between two deadbeats.
There was a lot of sparring in the first leg. Hopefully we will go for the knockout blow tonight after lying on the ropes for most the match last week.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Mar 14, 2013 at 9:37 AM
Comment #58Novo…There are two theories, one is he gets a share of the ticket money the other is he would like a big crowd there to push the lads over the line so to spreak.
Mark…Standing in?
Rotonda heights
Mar 14, 2013 at 9:40 AM
Comment #59Just hope Benny’s miss won’t haunt us. Away goals are so crucial and so cruel if you’re on the wrong end of them.
It will be strange for Pardew tonight knowing he has to go for a win. Just hope we don’t shut up shop if we go a goal ahead and try hanging on. I don’t think my nerves could take it.
Have to take hope from Barca who were 2-0 down and where a positive approach reaped great rewards.
Graeme
Mar 14, 2013 at 10:57 AM
Comment #60Ibiza @ 30 – damn right mate, we are off to Amsterdam, top tickets already bagged, air tickets & hotel sorted.
All we need now is the very minor matter of NUFC being there on the day. Sometimes I think us fans should be locked up for their own safety / sanity lol
Owldman
Mar 14, 2013 at 11:42 AM
Comment #61@23 cant see it being a full houes unless they’ve opened up level 7! Which I dont think they. Need too many stewards & other staff up there, from the financial point of view dont think they will do it
Owldman
Mar 14, 2013 at 11:46 AM
Comment #62@45 match is on ITV 4 mate has been switched from ESPN since Liverpool got knocked out
obatoyou
Mar 14, 2013 at 1:12 PM
Comment #63Ranger flipping arrested again on suspicion of assault give it a rest fellow