At the end of this season we’ll review what’s happened since last August, and come to the obvious conclusion that our campaign on the English Premier League this term was a huge disappointment.
Yohan Cabaye – will lead the team out tonight
After finishing 5th last season we were looking forward to doing well in both the English League and the European League, but we’ve been simply terrible in English competition.
Injuries have played a big part in that, and we wonder why we’ve had so many injuries this season, but the extra games in Europe certainly haven’t helped.
And our squad was not strengthened last summer and that was a huge error – but in a way it’s been rectified a little in January, with the five new French players coming through the door.
Alan Pardew says that we are still suffering from inquires, as he had this to say yesterday in Lisbon:
“The competition has brought some welcome relief to what has been a sticky Premier League campaign,” “We still suffer from injuries as we enter this game. We’re missing big players and we’ve missed those big players all year.”
“I think we have got the confidence and the quality to ensure our safety in the Premier League regardless of injuries.” “Our fans have been consistently brilliant and they’ll bring a nice atmosphere here tomorrow to the city.”
“I don’t think we need it to be more of an occasion with this stadium and this club.”
There’s no doubt tonight’s game is a challenge for our lads, and Benfica have won ten games in a row in all competitions dating back to Valentine’s day (show-offs), and scored 18 times in the last four games,
It will be a tough game tonight, but it’s also an opportunity for our players to shine and do well for the fans, after the disaster of last Saturday.
Comments welcome.
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10 comments so far
Transfer Sage
Apr 4, 2013 at 10:46 AM
Comment #1stuart
from previous. I agree to an extent on our game plan.
If we get a draw or narrow win playing defensive it looks ok, but if we lose then it looks awful.
At least with attacking, win or lose there is usually something to be positive about.
But i’d take a gritty, hard fought europa league win like chelsea did in champs league over a thrilling tie but overall elimination against benfica.
Levi
Apr 4, 2013 at 10:46 AM
Comment #2I just want to say so its on record for when we win the europa league I am firmly behind pardew. Don’t slaughter me please haha
Bambams
Apr 4, 2013 at 10:47 AM
Comment #3Injuries happen in football. …. Yes its caused us problems but the Ba ‘ is he or isn’t he ‘ saga caused so many problems also.
The biggest issue for me which needs to be looked at before next season is the prices of a pie and pint in the ground……
Let’s hopefully enjoy tonight’s game eh !
yo-yo
Apr 4, 2013 at 10:51 AM
Comment #4low fell mag // Apr 3, 2013 at 8:30 PM
Dear rotanta heights could you please tell me in your lifetime as a supposed nufc fan ,apart from Joe Harvey,which Newcastle manger did get your support and what they actually achieved more than Alan Pardew.Mouth piece.
Rotonda – what’s with low fell’s comment to flip yer switch. A bit excessive with the gratuitous insults this sunny morning ?
We all know you’ve almost taken over from Catchy with the Pardew hating – must be burning you up by the looks of it – but he ain’t going anywhere and we need to make the best of it – hopefully another 5th place next season.
Pardew is perfect for the Toon – he’s always going to give us the roller coaster ride we’ve been used to for the last half century 🙂
ichrisho
Apr 4, 2013 at 11:04 AM
Comment #5Always playing to the FANS eh Pardew? Lets match the fans brilliance and play some good football.
Rozzy
Apr 4, 2013 at 11:50 AM
Comment #6Ben Arfa has been a big miss, hope he doesn’t go at the end of the season. Players like him and Cabaye could be sold at high prices but we couldn’t replace them.
croftus5678
Apr 4, 2013 at 12:04 PM
Comment #7o.k. before anything happens !
i do not expect any kind of result from this game benfica are imo a better team than us even if we had a full strength team playing so do we fight for 0-0 which would be a great result ! or do we go all out atk and risk losing by lots as imo we definatly do not have the strikers playing to cause that many problems (only cisse and maybe ameobi).
in honesty i dont have the answers and can see all sides of everything realistically but as long as the players try tonight i will be happy tbh.
obatoyou
Apr 4, 2013 at 12:13 PM
Comment #8We rule we’ll win
lesh
Apr 4, 2013 at 12:48 PM
Comment #9We are still suffering from ‘inquires’ Alan?
The media’s always asking questions to be asked of us!
TB95
Apr 4, 2013 at 4:34 PM
Comment #10A lot of talk about this fantastic run they’re on, but you’ve got to remember the quality of teams in Portugal beyond the top 4 or 5 is pretty weak, so no doubt that’s helped. It’ll still be a tough game, but we’ve seen off tougher opposition before. I expect a draw or a slim loss tonight and a slim victory next week. It’s gunna be tight though!